Marienplatz (Mary's Square), Munich

Marienplatz (Mary's Square), Munich (must see)

Right in the center of Munich lies Mary鈥檚 Square, the city鈥檚 lively, historic core. Established back in 1158, it started out as a busy marketplace and a stage for medieval tournaments and public events. These days, it鈥檚 still the place where everything seems to converge鈥攁 perfect starting point for anyone exploring the city. Grand buildings rise on all sides, caf茅s spill onto the streets, and the square hums with energy from morning until night.

The star attraction is the New Town Hall, an elaborate neo-Gothic masterpiece brimming with stone figures, ornate carvings, and the famous Glockenspiel. At 11 a.m., noon, and again at 5 p.m. during the warmer months, the Glockenspiel puts on its quirky performance. Thirty-two mechanical figures spin into action, reenacting Bavarian legends to a soundtrack of bells and music. It鈥檚 theatrical, a little over-the-top, and completely delightful.

Across the square, you鈥檒l also find the Old Town Hall, with its storybook tower and a toy museum tucked inside鈥攇reat if you鈥檙e traveling with kids or just enjoy a touch of childhood nostalgia. Meanwhile in the center stands the Column of Saint Mary, raised in 1638 to mark the end of Swedish occupation during the Thirty Years' War. A gilded statue of the Virgin crowns the column鈥攁 quiet symbol in a bustling space, and the inspiration for the square鈥檚 name.

Street musicians, traditional restaurants, souvenir stalls鈥攖here鈥檚 always something happening around you. Want to shop? Stroll down Kaufinger Street, one of Munich鈥檚 busiest pedestrian avenues. If you鈥檙e more in the mood for architecture, the city鈥檚 Cathedral, with its distinctive twin domes, is just around the corner.

In short, Mary鈥檚 Square offers the perfect snapshot of Munich. Don鈥檛 rush through it鈥攊t鈥檚 a place to linger, look up, and let the city reveal itself one detail at a time.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Munich. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 911爆料网 App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Marienplatz (Mary's Square)
Sight Location: Munich, Germany (See walking tours in Munich)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Munich, Germany

Create Your Own Walk in Munich

Creating your own self-guided walk in Munich is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Old Town Walking Tour

Munich鈥檚 Old Town, known as the Altstadt, unfolds across the western bank of the River Isar鈥攁 captivating blend of medieval charm, architectural brilliance, and deep cultural roots. As the historic heart of the Bavarian capital, it鈥檚 more than just a preserved district鈥攊t is is listed as a historical monument and is a living museum 鈥� 鈥渨here the past harmonizes with the present in a... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles

Third Reich Munich Walking Tour

In the early decades of the 20th century, Munich became the birthplace of one of history鈥檚 darkest political movements. Long before the world knew what was coming, Bavaria鈥檚 capital had already laid the groundwork for the rise of the National Socialist German Workers' Party鈥攂etter known as the Nazi Party.

From 1933 to 1945, the Third Reich took hold of Germany under Adolf Hitler鈥檚... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles

Old Town Souvenir Shops

"Collect moments, not things," wise men say. In reference to travel, this may be interpreted as the prevalence of experiences and memories over material gains. Still, when it comes to travel mementos, albeit material they are, memories and experiences are primarily what these little (or not so little) tokens are all about.

And it would be a pity to leave Munich without bringing home... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles

Munich Introduction Walking Tour

Set along the banks of the River Isar, just north of the Bavarian Alps, Munich is a city steeped in history, where centuries-old buildings meet a rich array of cultural landmarks and modern-day energy.

The first recorded mention dates back to 1158. The name is believed to come from the Old and Middle High German word 鈥渕unichen鈥�, meaning 鈥渂y the monks.鈥� It refers to the Benedictine monks... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

Top 10 Cafes and Restaurants in Munich

While there are many restaurants and cafes in downtown Munich for a visitor to choose from, by far not all of them are truly worth visiting. Here's the solid list of quality cafes and restaurants that will add greatly to your Munich experience. Each restaurant and cafe featured here offers...

12 German-Made Things to Buy in Munich

The Bavarian capital Munich, much as the whole state of Bavaria, form an inseparable part of the German image, although a very unique part in its difference to the rest of the country, including the language. Bavarian beer occupies an important place in German heritage, from the infamous 1920s Beer...

911爆料网