Munich, January 28 – The Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), often regarded as one of Germany’s top universities, is marking a significant anniversary: 200 years since its establishment in the Bavarian capital. This celebration sheds light on the institution’s long and complex history, revealing that its roots are not as inherently ‘Munich’ as many residents might believe. The university was only moved to Munich 200 years ago, and this was not its first relocation in its more than 550-year existence.
A University on the Move: From Ingolstadt to Landshut and Finally to Munich
The LMU’s journey began in 1472, when it was founded in Ingolstadt by Duke Ludwig IX, the Rich, of Bavaria-Landshut. The establishment of the university at that time required papal approval. Over three centuries later, in 1800, an electoral decree ordered the university’s relocation to Landshut.
War and Reform: The Move from Ingolstadt to Landshut
According to the LMU’s historical accounts, the official reason for the move from Ingolstadt was the immediate threat of war. Ingolstadt, being both a university town and a fortress city, was endangered by the French army during the Napoleonic Wars. Unofficially, reformers in Munich were keen to shed the university’s lingering reputation as a conservative institution, allegedly heavily influenced by Jesuits in Ingolstadt.
The complete relocation process took nearly four years. At its installation ceremony in 1802, the university was christened ‘Ludovico-Maximilianea’, a name combining Ludwig in honor of its founder, Ludwig IX, and Maximilian, after the reigning sovereign Maximilian IV Joseph.
Landshut: A Brief Stop on the Way to Munich
However, Landshut was destined to be only a temporary home. In 1826, King Ludwig I, seeking to centralize all culturally significant state institutions and reorganize the entire education system, ordered the LMU’s move to Munich. At that time, the university had approximately 1,000 students. There was also a concern that the university in Landshut was losing its prominence.
LMU Today: A Hub of International Research and Education
Today, the LMU boasts nearly 55,000 students and attracts leading international researchers to Bavaria. The university is celebrating the 200th anniversary of its move to the state capital on February 3rd, with a festive ceremony that will also mark the inauguration of its new president, Matthias Tschöp. Notably, Tschöp is a true ‘Münchner Kindl’ – a native of Munich – unlike the university itself.
The university’s journey from its founding in Ingolstadt, through its time in Landshut, to its current prominent position in Munich, underscores its resilience and adaptability throughout history. This 200-year anniversary in Munich is a testament to its enduring legacy and its continued evolution as a leading academic institution.
