Marienplatz

Marienplatz has been Munich's geographic and social center since the city's founding in 1158 by Henry the Lion. Originally laid out as a grain and general market square, it only received its current name in 1854 - in honor of the Mariensäule column that had already stood at its center for more than two centuries. To this day, the old town's most important streets converge here, and few visits to Munich begin anywhere else.

History of Marienplatz

In the Middle Ages the square hosted jousting tournaments, public executions and markets - a use that continued into the 19th century, when the grain market was finally relocated to the nearby Schrannenplatz close to Viktualienmarkt. The Mariensäule at the square's center was erected in 1638 by Elector Maximilian I. Its origin lies in a vow the elector made during the Swedish threat of the Thirty Years' War: when Protestant Swedish forces stood before Munich's gates in 1632, the city was spared a siege. In gratitude, Maximilian commissioned the gilded Mariensäule, today considered one of the oldest surviving monuments of its kind in Europe. In 1639, four putti fighting mythical beasts were added at its base, representing the defeated threats of war, plague, famine and heresy.

The New Town Hall and Its Glockenspiel

The square's present appearance is dominated by the New Town Hall, a neo-Gothic showpiece built between 1867 and 1908 to designs by Georg von Hauberrisser, inspired by medieval Flemish town halls. Its richly decorated, roughly 100-meter-long façade and 85-meter main tower replaced a row of older townhouses that had to make way for the new building. World-famous is the glockenspiel in the town hall tower, which since 1908 has used 43 bells and 32 life-sized figures to re-enact two historical scenes twice daily: the Schäfflertanz, commemorating the end of a 1517 plague epidemic, and a knights' tournament held for the 1568 wedding of Duke Wilhelm V to Renata of Lorraine. A golden rooster crows at the end of the performance. On the square's east side stands the Old Town Hall, whose core dates to the 14th century and which was faithfully rebuilt after severe wartime damage.

Visitor Tips & Getting There

Marienplatz is directly served by the U-Bahn and S-Bahn station of the same name, making it the easiest starting point for exploring the old town. For a sweeping view over Munich's rooftops, climb the tower of Alter Peter just south of the square. Exact glockenspiel showtimes and any seasonal changes should be checked in advance on the City of Munich's official website, as they occasionally shift. Numerous cafés line the square with views of the town hall and fill up especially around glockenspiel time.

Nearby Attractions

Just a few steps west rises the Frauenkirche with its distinctive onion domes, while south of the square the Viktualienmarkt beckons with fresh produce stalls and a beloved beer garden. Heading east, the pedestrian zone leads to the Isartor, one of the surviving medieval city gates, while westward the busy Kaufingerstraße stretches to Karlsplatz (Stachus) with its historic Karlstor. The Hofbräuhaus is also just a few minutes' walk from here.

Marienplatz Throughout the Year

Throughout the year, Marienplatz is the stage for Munich's public life. Particularly well known is the traditional Christkindlmarkt, which each year during Advent transforms the square and the adjoining Rindermarkt into a sea of lights with wooden stalls, mulled wine and handicrafts, ranking among Germany's oldest Christmas markets. On other occasions too - such as when FC Bayern Munich celebrates a championship title or on New Year's Eve - thousands traditionally gather on the square. This dual role as both historic seat of administration and lively gathering place makes Marienplatz, to this day, the true heart of the city, far beyond its touristic significance.

The Fish Fountain on Marienplatz

At the edge of the square, near the New Town Hall, stands the historic Fischbrunnen (fish fountain), whose current form dates to a post-war reconstruction, though its origins reach back to the Middle Ages, when fish were indeed sold here. The fountain is particularly known for an old Munich Ash Wednesday custom: traditionally, butchers' apprentices would jump into the fountain basin to symbolically mark the beginning of Lent - a ritual still kept alive in modified form by guilds and clubs today, adding an extra folkloric note to the square.

The Town Hall Balcony as a Stage for Great Moments

Over the decades, the balcony of the New Town Hall has become an informal yet firmly established stage for the city's greatest celebrations. When FC Bayern Munich wins a championship title or cup, tens of thousands of fans traditionally gather on Marienplatz while the team and club leadership greet the crowd from the town hall balcony. Inside the town hall, the Munich city council still meets to this day, meaning that beyond its historic and touristic significance, the building has also remained, quite practically, the political center of the Bavarian capital.