Marienplatz City Center

Drawing millions of tourists a year, Marienplatz is the central square located in the center of Munich – and has been since 1158. Popular during all times of the year, its Gothic city hall houses the city council as well as the famous Glockenspiel, which chimes daily at 11 a.m., noon, and 5 p.m. Figures in the Glockenspiel move to the Schläffertanz, which was originally performed in the Marienplatz in 1517 to observe the end of the plague.

Marienplatz acquired its name in 1638 after the Mariensäule column that was erected celebrating the end of Munich’s Swedish occupation. Upon this still-standing column is a golden statue of the Virgin Mary and Jesus, thus Marienplatz translates into English as “Mary’s Place&lrquo;.

During any given day or evening, this area is bustling with shoppers, tourists or simply those on a stroll through the city. Various street performers take their places at Marienplatz, which almost always guarantees a small show to watch from classical quartets to elaborate human statues. The cobblestone streets surrounding Marienplatz are lined with shops and restaurants of all sizes and specialties from bookstores to electronics and traditional Bavarian to chic Japanese.

With its rich history, extensive shopping and tasty treats, Marienplatz is not only popular amongst tourists but Müncheners as well. Underground, the square is also the transportation hub from which countless urban and suburban train lines pass, making it easy for all to access.