MARIENPLATZ

Marienplatz ("St. Mary's Square") is more than just the central square of old Munich; it's the meeting place and one of the symbols of the Bavarian city, the reflection of centuries of history, charged with political, cultural and identity dimensions dear to the hearts of Munich's citizens, it's always been the soul of the city. Since the founding of Munich in 1158 by Henry the Lion, Marienplatz has been the center and heart of the city. Here, the two main roads met, so that over the centuries it has been and still is decisive for urban development. During the Middle Ages, it served as a salt market. It was also used as a place of execution and jousting tournaments. In the 15th^and 16th^centuries , it was used as a festive reception hall, for example during visits by the Emperor. It wasn't until 1481 that the buildings on the square (including the chapel) were demolished, creating a rectangular open space. Originally called Schrannen, the square was renamed Marienplatz in 1854 when the town council decided to dedicate the square to the patron saint to escape a cholera epidemic. In 1888, the first streetcars crossed the square from one end to the other. During the Second World War, the square was heavily bombed. Many buildings were destroyed, and the surrounding neighborhoods were badly damaged. Several buildings were rebuilt identically, while others were moved back several meters to enlarge the space even further. In 1966, work began on the new metro line, which changed the face of the square and was completed in 1971. Today, seven lines stop beneath the square, making it virtually impossible to visit Munich without passing Marienplatz at least once.

Today, this large pedestrian square is home to the two town halls, the old and the new, which dominate the entire space with their neo-Gothic style, while the Baroque and contemporary facades of the upper middle-class buildings compete in elegance and color. The centerpiece is the Mariensäule (Mary's Column), erected in 1638 to celebrate the end of the Swedish occupation during the Thirty Years' War. It is from this column that the square takes its name. The square once housed a market, but this was moved in 1807. In December, the square is occupied by the Christmas market, which gives it a warm, festive atmosphere. Every day at 11 and 12 a.m., or at 5 p.m. in summer, groups of tourists gather in the square to admire the spectacle of the automatons coming out of the famous carillon to give their demonstration. The buildings in the square are all well-maintained, making it a pleasant place to visit and highly representative of the town's history. As you stroll through old Munich, you'll pass, pass and pass again the Marienplatz, the nerve center of the entire city. There's so much to discover in Munich's historic center. Pass through, eat, drink, shop and admire the new Town Hall and its enchanting carillon, 88 meters high. The square is also the venue for numerous cultural and political events. If you want to take a photo without the crowds, try to get there early in the day.