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Marienplatz

City Living Room and Landmarks

Marienplatz is the most lively place in Munich's Old Town. It is located in the center of the old town pedestrian street and is named after Mary's Column in the center of the square. The New City Hall, the Old Town Hall, and the Munich Frauenkirche are all located here.

Marienplatz, or Mary’s Square, is a must-see landmark in Munich’s old town. Combining with Historic and Commercial Highlights, it is the place to be, whether you are in love with monuments, delicacies, or fashionable brands.

Located in the heart of Munich’s old town, in the pedestrian street, Marienplatz is named after the Mariensäule (Maria's Column) in the center of the square. The column was erected in the square after the victory of the Holy Roman Empire over the Swedish army in 1638, topped by a golden statue of the Virgin Mary standing on a crescent moon.

Manywhere Trivia:
Munich (German München) is usually interpreted as deriving from the Old German term Munichen, meaning “by the monks”.

The Munich Old City Hall (Altes Rathaus) on the east side of the square, dates from the 14th century or earlier, and its functions were transferred to the new Munich City Hall (Neues Rathaus) next door in 1874.

The neo-gothic style Munich New City Hall (Neues Rathaus), is the landmark and pride of Munich, with an 85-meter high bell tower and lifelike decorative carvings on its facade. Every day at 11:00, 12:00, and 17:00, the mechanical clock “Rathaus-Glockenspiel” of the clock tower puts on a spectacular puppet show and almost everyone in the square stops to watch.

New Town Hall In Munich

FC Bayern's Favourite Balcony

Munich's New Town Hall is located on the north side of Marienplatz and has been in operation since 1874. It has an 85-meter-tall main tower, where the Rathaus-Glockenspiel show is on stage every day. It houses 400 rooms for the offices of the Mayor and city council.

In the northeast of the square, there is a fountain called Fischbrunnen (the Fish's Fountain). In the center of the fountain was once a three-tiered group of figures, which was severely damaged in World War II, and only the three butcher statues at the bottom remain. It is often used as a meeting spot.

Conveniently located and packed with landmarks, Marienplatz is one of Munich’s most popular tourist destinations. In addition to Munich’s new and old city halls around the square, the Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Dear Lady), St. Michael’s Church, St. Peter’s Church, the Staatliches Hofbräuhaus (public Royal Brewery) and the Viktualienmarkt are nearby and worth a day’s visit.

Munich Frauenkirche

Devil's Footprint

The Frauenkirche, or Cathedral of Our Dear Lady in Munich was built in 1468, its two 99-meter-high bell towers are still the highest point in the city. As the seat of Archbishop, it has a hall with a capacity of 20,000 people, and legends abound about the Devil's Footstep in the entrance porch.

Munich St. Peter's Church

The Emblematic Old Peter

St. Peter's Church in Munich dates back to 1150, long before the city was founded, and locals used to call it Alter Peter (Old Pete). With its 91-meter-high bell tower, St. Peter's Church is dedicated to St. Peter and features a ceiling fresco depicting Peter's martyrdom.