Marienplatz

Welcome to Mah-ree-en-plats, the vibrant, historical, and commercial center of Munich since its very foundation in 1158. As you stand here, you are in the city's 'living room,' a space that has hosted everything from medieval…

Dominating the northern side of the square is the massive, intricate facade of the Noy-es Raht-hows, or New Town Hall. Built between 1867 and 1908, this building is a masterpiece of the Neogothic style, designed by the young…

Every day at 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM (and 5:00 PM in the summer), the Glok-en-shpeel in the tower of the New Town Hall performs a mechanical show that draws millions of tourists. This is Germany's largest carillon, featuring…

In the very center of the square stands the Mah-ree-en-soy-leh, or Mary's Column, which gives the square its name. Erected in 1638 by Elector Maximilian the First, the column was a gesture of gratitude for the city being spared…

To the northeast corner of the square, near the entrance to the Old Town Hall, you will find the Fish-brun-en, or Fish Fountain. This fountain has a history that stretches back to the Middle Ages, though its current form was…

Gazing eastward, you see the Al-tes Raht-hows, or Old Town Hall, which looks far more modest than its Neogothic neighbor. This building served as the seat of the city government from the fourteenth century until the nineteenth…

Just a few steps south of the main square lies St. Peter’s Church, known affectionately by locals as 'Al-ter Pe-ter' or Old Peter. …

As our tour of Mah-ree-en-plats concludes, take one last look around this extraordinary square. From the mechanical dance of the Glok-en-shpeel to the golden heights of the Marian column, we have traveled through centuries of…