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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.

In the second half of the 19th century, as Munich was growing rapidly and riding a wave of prosperity, city leaders decided they needed a new home for local government. The Old Town Hall had simply outgrown its purpose. They chose a prominent spot on the south side of Mary鈥檚 Square, cleared out around two dozen houses, and set the stage for something grand. Construction began in 1867 and continued all the way to 1909. Overseeing the project was a remarkably young architect鈥擥eorg Hauberrisser鈥攋ust 24 when he started.

What emerged is a prime example of German pseudo-historical architecture鈥攎ock-Netherlands Gothic, to be exact. The building features six courtyards and a small garden at the back. Its fa莽ade is covered in intricate sculptures that reference Bavarian legends, local saints, and allegorical figures. At the top of the steeple stands a bronze statue of the 鈥淢unich Child,鈥� the city鈥檚 traditional symbol. The tower also houses the fourth-largest chiming clock in Europe.

Every day, 43 bells ring out as copper figures dance in two scenes: a knightly tournament honoring the wedding of Duke Wilhelm V and Renata of Lorraine, and the legendary 鈥淒ance of the Coopers.鈥� That dance, by the way, is still performed in the streets every seven years during Carnival to commemorate the passing of a plague epidemic in the early 1500s. Legend has it that coopers, loyal to the Duke, danced through the streets to inspire courage during tough times. The official dance moves were defined as far back as 1871.

The full carillon performance plays at 11 a.m., noon, and 5 p.m. in the summer, lasting up to 15 minutes depending on the day鈥檚 tune. As a whimsical finale, a tiny golden rooster perched above the clock lets out three soft chirps. And when evening falls, figures of a night watchman and the Angel of Peace appear in the upper windows, quietly blessing the 鈥淢unich Child鈥� and the city below.

Visitors can ride the elevator to the viewing platform for sweeping views of the city. And beneath the building, the historic Ratskeller restaurant offers not just a good meal, but a truly atmospheric dining experience.

Saint Peter鈥檚 Church rises from the highest point of Munich鈥檚 Old Town and holds the title of the city鈥檚 oldest public building. It played a key role in the city鈥檚 early development, with roots reaching back to the 12th century. In fact, the church was once part of the original monastery that gave the city its name鈥斺�渕茅nchen鈥� meaning 鈥渕onks.鈥� After the first structure was lost to fire, a new Gothic-style design took its place in the 13th century. Over time, the church evolved even further, getting a Baroque facelift in the 17th century and then a Rococo reimagining in the 18th. After World War II, major restoration work was carried out to return it to its former glory.

Step inside today, and you're met with an unexpectedly lavish interior. The high altar features a commanding statue of Saint Peter, surrounded by the Church Fathers, while the choir displays five intricately carved scenes from Peter鈥檚 life. Look closely and you may even spot the jeweled remains of Saint Mundita鈥攁n ornate, if somewhat haunting, presence.

The church鈥檚 tower, known as 鈥淥ld Peter,鈥� is another highlight. Equipped with eight clocks, seven bells, and a viewing gallery, it offers panoramic views over the city鈥攁nd on clear days, even as far as the Alps. A set of color-coded markers on the lower platform helps gauge visibility; if you spot a white circle, it means you鈥檙e in luck. Climbing to the top is well worth the price, but be warned: it鈥檚 a steep ascent and not ideal for anyone with a fear of heights. For those who make it, two binocular viewers let you take in the rooftops, church spires, and skyline in vivid detail. And if you arrive before noon, you鈥檒l get an unbeatable vantage point for watching the carillon perform over at Mary鈥檚 Square.

Welcome to Munich鈥檚 oldest and most charming market. Since the early 1800s, it鈥檚 been the go-to spot for just about anything edible鈥攆resh produce, dairy, meats, fine French wines, seafood, and rare delicacies from around the globe. Prices tend to be on the higher side, but the variety and quality are hard to beat. Of course, you鈥檒l also find classic Bavarian favorites like pretzels, sausages, and local cheeses, all offering a true taste of the region.

People from all walks of life gather here鈥攍ocals picking up ingredients for dinner, tourists exploring with wide eyes, and regulars who鈥檝e made it part of their daily routine. Local customs involve eating white sausage, sipping hot soup, and enjoying a cold beer in one of the city鈥檚 most beloved beer gardens, set around a decorated maypole. Under the shade of chestnut trees, folks gather to sip cold brews and enjoy a break from the buzz.

But this market is more than a place to shop, drink or snack鈥攊t鈥檚 actually woven into Munich鈥檚 cultural identity. Throughout the year, it plays host to everything from folk dances and live music to seasonal festivals, and an especially lively Mardi Gras parade. The fountain erected to commemorate German cabaret artists emphasizes the spirit that has always animated this place.

In every sense, it鈥檚 a feast鈥攆or the senses, for the culture, and most definitely for the appetite.

Before the New Town Hall took over in 1874, the Old Town Hall was where Munich鈥檚 city government did its business. Unlike many buildings that were torn down to make way for the new structure, this one remained鈥攑reserved as a testament to the city鈥檚 commitment to restoration over replacement.

With its dove-grey fa莽ade, amber-tiled steeple, and delicate Gothic spires, the Hall captures the essence of its 15th-century origins鈥攖hough what stands today isn鈥檛 an exact replica. Over time, additions like a baroque onion dome and later, an overly enthusiastic attempt at 鈥渞egothification,鈥� took the structure further from its medieval roots than what the current version reflects. Ironically, the faithful postwar reconstruction you see today may be closer to the spirit of the original than what existed before the Allied bombing.

The oldest surviving element is the 12th-century tower, once part of the city鈥檚 medieval fortifications. Today, it houses the Toy Museum, where you鈥檒l find a charming collection of vintage toys鈥攆rom antique train sets to miniature zoos鈥攕pread across four narrow floors connected by a spiral staircase. There's also a gift shop with hand-picked items that make for great souvenirs.

The ceremonial hall still retains its Gothic grandeur, with broad wooden barrel vaults and a frieze of 96 coats of arms lining one wall. Meanwhile, on the building鈥檚 side, there's a whimsical surprise: a bronze statue of Shakespeare鈥檚 Juliet, a gift from the city of Verona in the 1970s.

But the building also carries a darker legacy. In 1938, Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels delivered a speech here that triggered the 鈥淣ight of Broken Glass.鈥� That night of terror saw synagogues burned, Jewish businesses destroyed, and thousands arrested. It鈥檚 widely seen as the moment when Nazi anti-Semitic violence escalated into what became the Holocaust.

Arguably the most famous 鈥榳atering hole鈥� in Munich, this spot is the embodiment of Bavarian tradition and spirit. Its story began in 1589, founded as part of the Royal Brewery by Wilhelm V. Back then, it wasn鈥檛 even open to the public鈥攔eserved instead for royal use. That changed in 1828, when the doors were finally thrown open to everyone. Today, it's among the city鈥檚 most beloved gathering places, steeped in old-world charm.

On the ground floor, long tables fill the hall that can hold 1,000 drinkers while bands belt out folk tunes. The menu is full of Bavarian classics, and the atmosphere is pure celebration. Upstairs, a vaulted ceremonial hall can seat another 1,300 people, with additional side rooms for smaller gatherings. And when the weather鈥檚 warm, the beer garden becomes a favorite hangout鈥攚ith its shady chestnut trees, bubbling fountain, and relaxed outdoor vibe. On a typical day, around 10,000 liters of beer are served here鈥攖hat鈥檚 over 17,000 pints.

True to tradition, the beer follows the Bavarian Beer Purity Law of 1516, which allows only natural ingredients. That standard is still upheld across the city, and the brews here are no exception鈥攃rafted with care and full of flavor.

But not all of the building鈥檚 history is festive. On February 24, 1920, Adolf Hitler stood here to announce the official program of the then-fledgling Nazi Party. Just over a year later, on July 29, 1921, he was elected as the Party鈥檚 leader鈥攔ight in this very hall. So while the beer house is rightly remembered for joy, music, and beer, it also witnessed one of the more sobering moments of 20th-century history.

Stretching through the heart of Munich, Maximilian Street is one of the city鈥檚 grandest avenues, conceived in 1850 under the patronage of King Maximilian II of Bavaria. His vision lives on not just in name, but in the street鈥檚 very design. Maximilian set out to create a new architectural style that fused historic influences with modern construction techniques鈥攁nd the result is a showcase of Neo-Gothic architecture, heavily inspired by the English Perpendicular style.

As part of the transformation, even the north fa莽ade of the Old Mint Yard was redesigned to match this aesthetic. Along the route, you鈥檒l come across other prominent institutions: the Munich Chamber Theatre, the Upper Bavaria Government Building, the Museum of Ethnology, or the Wilhelm Grammar School.

Things take a more luxurious turn toward the western section of the boulevard. This part is all about high-end shopping and upscale living鈥攈ome to art galleries, fine jewelers, luxury boutiques, and the 5-star Hotel Kempinski. Brands like Chanel, Gucci, Dior, Bulgari, and Versace dominate the storefronts, turning this stretch into one of the priciest retail areas in all of Germany.

Another striking feature is the Maximiliansbridge, built in the mid-19th century and topped with a statue of Pallas Athene. Cross it, and you鈥檙e led straight to Maximilianeum鈥攖he imposing, palatial seat of the Bavarian State Parliament.

The Residenz was the home of Bavaria鈥檚 Wittelsbach dynasty all the way up until 1918. With its gilded grandeur and Versailles-like scale, this royal palace complex ranks among Europe鈥檚 most impressive, and a throrough exploration could easily take a few days. It鈥檚 massive to begin with, and even larger now that more rooms and passageways have been restored and opened to the public.

A good place to start is outside, with the three imposing facades and a series of stunning courtyards, many of which are freely accessible. From there, you can step into the Residenz Museum itself, as well as the Cuvilli茅s鈥攁rguably the finest Rococo theater in Europe, and the Treasure Chamber, where you鈥檒l find a glittering display of jewels, gold, silver, crystal, and enamelwork鈥攃ollected over a thousand years.

There鈥檚 a huge amount to see in the 10 courtyards and nearly 130 rooms, halls and galleries. Among the standout highlights is the Gallery of the Ancestors, where you鈥檒l meet 121 members of the Wittelsbach family; the Antiquarium鈥攖he largest Renaissance hall north of the Alps; the extensive porcelain collections, including an array of pieces from France, England, Germany, Japan, and China; and the lavish State Rooms, where German Rococo reaches its decorative peak, especially in the Green Gallery and the Cabinet of Mirrors. Oh, and don鈥檛 miss the Grottenhof courtyard, known for its elegant arcade and bronze fountain of Perseus.

For the full experience, consider a combined ticket that includes the Museum, the Theatre and the Treasury. And if you want to tailor your visit, the audio guide lets you jump straight to the rooms, artworks, or stories that interest you most.

The Field Marshal's Hall is a grand open-air loggia built to honor Bavaria鈥檚 military leaders and the soldiers who died in the Franco-Prussian War. Commissioned by King Ludwig I in the 1840s, it was constructed on the site of a former city gate. The design was inspired by Florence鈥檚 famous Loggia dei Lanzi, bringing a touch of Italian grandeur to Munich鈥檚 historic center.

Standing at the front are two imposing bronze statues commemorating key figures in Bavarian military history: Count Tilly, who played a major role during the Thirty Years鈥� War, and Count von Wrede, a marshal from the Napoleonic era. In 1882, a third sculpture was added at the center鈥攖his one celebrating the Bavarian army鈥檚 role in the Franco-Prussian War. As you approach, you鈥檒l also spot two lion statues at the steps, crafted in 1906. One, mouth open, faces the Residenz Royal Palace; the other, with mouth closed, looks toward the nearby church.

Yet for many, the site is remembered most for the dramatic events of 1923. That year, during the failed Beer Hall Putsch, Adolf Hitler led around 2,000 followers in an attempted coup, marching toward the center of Munich in what he called a 鈥減eople鈥檚 revolution.鈥� They were met by the Bavarian police in front of this very loggia. A deadly confrontation followed鈥攆our officers and sixteen insurgents were killed. Hitler was arrested shortly after and imprisoned. A decade later, after coming to power, he elevated the failed revolt into a cornerstone of the Nazi cult.

In 1662, to celebrate the long-awaited birth of their son and heir, Elector Ferdinand and his wife, Henriette of Savoy, commissioned the construction of a church and monastery for the Italian Theatine order. The task fell to Antonio Barelli of Bologna, who envisioned nothing less than the most ornate and splendid temple imaginable. He based his design on Sant鈥橝ndrea della Valle in Rome, bringing a piece of pure Roman Baroque to the heart of Munich.

Bathed in sun-washed yellow-orange and radiating a bright Mediterranean vibe, the church instantly stood out in the city鈥檚 skyline. Its distinctive style brought a fresh twist to Munich鈥檚 architecture and went on to inspire many church designs across Southern Germany.

The soaring domes reach up to 70 meters and echo the curves and scrolls of Venice鈥檚 Santa Maria della Salute. The fa莽ade, richly sculpted in late Baroque style, steps forward in dramatic layers, with pilasters, scrolling cornices, and niches containing statues of Ferdinand and Henriette, their son Maximilian, and Saint Cajetan, the church鈥檚 patron. Just above the entrance, a cartouche displays coats of arms, including those of Bavaria and Saxony.

Among Munich鈥檚 many richly decorated churches, this one is remarkable for its radiant white interior, which seems to glow in natural light. Intricate stuccowork fills the space, with allegorical figures and playful cherubs adding drama and charm. The main altar is flanked by twisted columns, drawing the eye upward, while below, the crypt houses the tombs of Bavarian dukes and kings鈥攊ncluding the church鈥檚 founders, their son Maximilian Emanuel, and his wife. It鈥檚 a place where architectural splendor and dynastic history intertwine.

The Hofgarten is a peaceful, geometrically designed retreat鈥攁nd one of the largest Mannerist gardens to be found north of the Alps. Originally laid out in the early 1600s, it is arranged around two straight main paths that cross at right angles. At their intersection stands the Temple of Diana, an elegant polygonal pavilion crowned with a bronze figure representing Bavaria. Lining the edges of the garden are arcades that now house art galleries and caf茅s, their walls adorned with frescoes depicting historic moments from the Wittelsbach dynasty.

True to its 17th-century roots, the Hofgarten has been thoughtfully restored, with chestnut trees, flowerbeds, and fountains arranged just as the original plans intended. Tucked into the northeast corner is a striking black granite monument honoring the White Rose group鈥攁 circle of philosophy students who dared to resist the Nazi regime through non-violent means. After an unjust trial, they were executed, but their legacy lives on here in quiet remembrance. The garden also finds mention in T.S. Eliot鈥檚 鈥淭he Waste Land鈥�, widely regarded as one of the most important English-language poems of the 20th century. In the poem, it serves a symbol of fading aristocracy and the spiritual emptiness that followed Europe鈥檚 royal decline.

At the eastern edge of the grounds, you鈥檒l come across another poignant tribute鈥攁 memorial to Munich鈥檚 fallen from World War I. Within a rectangular enclosure lies an open crypt holding the statue of a fallen soldier. Inaugurated in 1924 by Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria, the monument has since been recognized as a cultural landmark.

Munich鈥檚 English Garden is the largest publicly owned park in Europe鈥攁nd even larger than New York鈥檚 Central Park, stretching across an impressive 900 acres, or about three and a half kilometers. The idea came from Archduke Carl Theodore, but it was brought to life by Benjamin Thompson, an American-born British physicist who later became known as Count Rumford.

Once a royal hunting ground for the Wittelsbach family, the land was transformed into a public park in 1792, stretching three miles along the scenic Isar River. Its name comes from the informal landscaping style that mirrors the naturalistic English gardens popular in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Today, the English Garden is a favorite escape for locals鈥攑erfect for relaxing, playing sports, or catching up with friends. For the more adventurous, nude sunbathing is also allowed. You鈥檒l find countless paths, riverside spots to cool your feet or go for a swim, as well as live music in the warmer months, and plenty of food options.

Among standout attractions is the Eisbach wave, an artificial surfing spot that鈥檚 active year-round, drawing spectators and surfers alike. In summer, make your way to one of the four beer gardens, especially the one near the Chinese Tower. There, you can enjoy a cold draft beer to the sound of traditional Bavarian tunes.

Within the park, you鈥檒l also find a monument to Count Rumford, a serene Japanese Garden created for the Munich Olympics, the elegant Monopteros temple, and an amphitheater tucked away toward the northern edge.

Tip: Sunday鈥檚 the big walking day. With most shops closed, locals flood the park鈥攕o if you're in town, lace up your shoes and join the crowd. Just keep an eye out for cyclists鈥攖hey tend to zip by when you least expect it. And if you're planning to swim or surf, don鈥檛 forget your gear.