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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.

Housed inside the tower of the Old Town Hall, Munich鈥檚 Toy Museum offers a one-of-a-kind glimpse into two centuries of toymaking from around the world. At its core is the private collection of Czech writer, cartoonist, and filmmaker Ivan Steiger and his wife Eva, who opened the place to the public in 1983.

What sets the museum apart is how it presents mechanical toys鈥攏ot just as objects of nostalgia, but as feats of miniature engineering. Many are displayed in ways that reveal the inner workings, allowing to appreciate the craftsmanship behind each moving part. A narrow spiral stone staircase winds its way through four floors of exhibits, thoughtfully arranged by toy type.

Among the highlights are some of the earliest teddy bears ever made by the legendary Margaret Steiff, along with elegant porcelain dolls crafted by K盲the Kruse. Another standout is a rare French 鈥渨alking doll鈥� from 1855, complete with a mechanism that moves the arms and legs鈥攁nd can even simulate speech. Many other dolls on display once belonged to real children, giving them a quiet sense of history and sentiment.

Collectors, nostalgic souls, and curious visitors alike will find something to delight in here: from antique dollhouses and merry-go-rounds to vintage tin cars, trains, copper soldiers, and even Barbie outfits from every era of the iconic doll鈥檚 history. Take your time as you explore each floor鈥攖hese tiny treasures have big stories to tell, and they鈥檙e waiting to be discovered.

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.

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.

The City Museum is spread across six interconnected buildings. Two of them date back to the 15th century and were originally used as granaries before being converted into the city鈥檚 stables and arsenal. During the uprisings of 1848, citizens stormed the arsenal tower鈥攐nly to discover that the weapons inside had long since rusted and were unusable. In the latter half of the 19th century, that same building became the first exhibition space for what would eventually become the city鈥檚 historical museum.

Around that time, a major effort was under way to collect historical artifacts from across Munich鈥攆rom old inns and churches to hospitals, orphanages, and even pawnshops. More than 1,500 objects were gathered, and a vast collection of Munich-themed etchings was acquired. In 1888, the Museum of History finally, officially opened its doors. As the collection expanded, four new wings were added, and by 1954, it was given its current name.

Today, this institution operates through several specialized departments, each curating its own exhibitions. Alongside permanent displays of weaponry, crafts, folk art, townscapes, and vintage posters, visitors can explore the Puppet Theatre collection, the Museum of Musical Instruments, the Photographic Museum, and the Fashion Museum. A dedicated exhibition deals with all aspects of city鈥檚 development through over 400 artifacts.

Film lovers will want to stop by the internationally respected Film Museum, known for its rare archive and reconstructions of silent films. Design enthusiasts can dive into the Urban Interiors section. And for those seeking a true highlight, stop by the renowned 鈥淒ancing Moors,鈥� ten expressive wooden figures carved by Erasmus Grasser around 1480. Originally created for the ceremonial hall of the Old Town, they remain some of the most treasured pieces within these walls.

Although modest in size, this church is famed for having the most lavish interior of any religious site in Munich. What it lacks in square footage, it more than makes up for in sheer decorative intensity鈥攆rescoes, marble, stucco, and layer upon layer of gold leaf all compete for the eye鈥檚 attention. The style might not be to everyone鈥檚 taste, but it鈥檚 difficult not to be captivated. It鈥檚 gaudy, yes鈥攁nd unmistakably Baroque鈥攂ut in a very special way that you don't get to see very often.

Built in the 1730s and 1740s by the talented Asam brothers, the church was originally intended as their private chapel. It was later opened to the public and consecrated in honor of Saint Johann Nepomuk, a Bohemian monk and martyr. According to legend, he was executed by drowning in the Danube after refusing to reveal the Queen鈥檚 confessions鈥攁n act ordered by King Wenceslaus.

Inside, you鈥檒l find a visual feast. The ceiling bursts with frescoes, including a dramatic scene depicting Saint Nepomuk鈥檚 final moments in the river. The high altar is flanked by four elaborately twisted columns and features a glass shrine holding a wax figure of the saint. Look upward, and you'll spot a striking sculpture of God the Father leaning over the crucified Christ, perched above the cornice. Much of what you see today is the result of a detailed restoration carried out between 1975 and 1982.

Here鈥檚 a tip: try to visit early in the morning, before the crowds arrive鈥攐r outside of mass hours if possible. And if the sun鈥檚 shining, even better. The light catches the gilded surfaces beautifully, making the whole interior shimmer like a golden dream.

The largest Gothic structure in southern Germany, this church was built at an astonishing pace. Construction began in 1468 and wrapped up just 20 years later, a remarkable feat for the time. With its twin towers capped by distinctive onion-shaped domes rising 99 meters high, it remains the city鈥檚 most iconic landmark.

Entry is free, though there鈥檚 a small charge if you鈥檇 rather take the elevator up the South Tower instead of making the climb yourself. The panoramic view from the top is well worth the effort鈥攁n unforgettable way to view the city from above.

Inside, the atmosphere is stark and reverent. What you may see today was rebuilt from the ruins left by World War II bombings. Having been safely stored away during the war, the Gothic windows offer a glimpse of the church鈥檚 former glory. In the choir, you鈥檒l find sculptures of the Apostles and Prophets, created in 1502 and miraculously preserved. The north chapel holds a striking altarpiece of Christ鈥檚 baptism, alongside Jan Polack鈥檚 panels depicting scenes from the Passion. Also look out for his painting 鈥淭he Protecting Cloak鈥�, as well as an elaborate cenotaph of Holy Roman Emperor Louis IV.

And then, of course, there鈥檚 the legend鈥攖he infamous Devil鈥檚 Footprint. As the story goes, architect J枚rg von Halsbach made a deal with the devil: the funds to finish the church, in exchange for a design with no visible windows. From one specific spot near the entrance, the illusion holds鈥攏o windows in sight. When the devil realized he鈥檇 been tricked, he stomped his foot in rage, leaving a footprint behind. Both the footprint and the trick of perspective can still be seen today.

Since this is Munich鈥檚 mother church, photography is discouraged out of respect for those who come here to pray. So take a quiet moment, soak in the stillness, and let the space speak for itself.

Just west of Mary鈥檚 Square lies one of Munich鈥檚 oldest streets鈥擪aufinger. In fact, it holds the title for the city's oldest recorded street name, first mentioned in a document dated May 28, 1239. While it suffered heavy damage during World War II, the decades that followed brought a fresh architectural wave. By the 1990s, many of the utilitarian post-war buildings had been replaced with sleek, postmodern designs. Today, Kaufinger remains a key artery in Munich鈥檚 Old Town, forming part of the main west-to-east route through the historic center.

As you continue along, Kaufinger flows directly into Neuhauser, forming a broad thoroughfare. Once a busy traffic route with tram tracks, Neuhauser was transformed into a pedestrian zone in 1972, just ahead of the Munich Summer Olympics. The goal was to accommodate the anticipated crowds鈥攁nd the result is now the most profitable shopping street in all of Germany.

Naturally, both streets are lined with a rich mix of shops and restaurants. Global brands rub shoulders with local vendors selling everything from fresh flowers and fruit to roasted nuts and souvenirs. Outdoor caf茅s spill onto the pavement, offering shoppers a place to rest, sip a coffee, enjoy a meal, and take in the architecture, along with the energy of the crowd.

Tip: If you're looking to escape the mainstream retail chains while staying in the city center, make your way to Sendlinger Street. It鈥檚 just nearby and offers a more laid-back, boutique shopping experience.

In 1791, after the city鈥檚 old fortifications were demolished, a wide-open square was created on the western edge of Munich鈥檚 Old Town. Second only to Mary鈥檚 Square in size, it was officially named Karl鈥檚 Square in honor of the ruler鈥攁nd the nearby gate took on the name Karl鈥檚 Gate. Locals, meanwhile, had another name in mind for this space; they called it Stachus, a nickname that stuck and is still widely used today. The name comes from a popular inn that stood on the corner of the square since the 1750s.

More recently, in 1902, architect Gabriel von Seidl added two elegant wings to the Karl's Gate, known as the Rondel Buildings. These Neo-Baroque structures feature two prominent towers and ground-floor arcades lined with shops鈥攁n early nod to the area鈥檚 commercial appeal.

Fast forward to the 1970s, and you鈥檒l find a large circular fountain, now a favorite meeting spot for both locals and visitors. It鈥檚 also a great place to take a break, especially on warm summer afternoons. On the west side stands Kaufhof, Munich鈥檚 very first postwar department store. Meanwhile, beneath the surface, an entire network of underground shops spreads out from the U-Bahn and S-Bahn exits, making this one of the city鈥檚 busiest retail intersections.

All in all, Karl's Square isn鈥檛 just a square鈥攊t鈥檚 a crossroads of history, shopping, transport, and local life. And if you鈥檙e catching a tram, chances are you鈥檒l pass through here鈥攊t鈥檚 one of the key hubs of Munich鈥檚 streetcar network.