Marienplatz, Munich

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Taking the train from the airport we got off at Marienplatz in the city center, probably the most popular place all over Munich.

Pic 1 was taken from the stairs as we were approaching the ground level. It’s the Old Town Hall (Alte Rathhaus ) on the east side of the square. It was built in late 15th century by Jorg von Halspack and was Munich’s Town Hall until 1874. The gateways were added in late 19th century to serve the traffic flow. The building was destroyed during WWII but was renovated in the original style again, probably that’s why it looks newer than the new one :) Inside the bell tower you can find a small Toy Museum (open daily 10.00-17.00)

Surprisingly the New Town Hall (Neue Rathaus ) is much more interesting (pic 2). It was built in 1867 (finished in 1908) in gothic style and it’s famous for the clock with the figures that go round daily at 11.00, 12.00, 17.00, At that time many visitors gather to see it.

Just in front of the New Town Hall is Mariensaule, a high column with a gilded statue of Virgin Mary (pics 3-4), hence the name of the square (Our Lady square). The column with the statue was erected in 1638 to commemorate the end of Swedish occupation during the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648).

Marienplatz was the main market square since 1158 when people gathered here to shop but also to watch several medieval tournaments. Even today the square can get packed. We were there some days before Christmas, the square was fully decorated and there were numerous stalls with candys, warm wine etc People (locals and tourists) were trying to move slowly as it was packed (pic 5), taking pictures or just enjoying the buzz, we stood there for some minutes too but then we tried to escape to more comfortable area of Munich :)

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The square is nice to see. Get a place arranged ahead of time before people come to take the picture of the clock show at 11AM, 12 noon, and 5PM hours. The real beauty is in the square itself and the adjacent shopping market in the rear. It is used daily by locals, and tourists to buy goods.
The square is named after the gilded statue of the Virgin Mary that has been there over 3 centuries; erected in 1638 as a dedication of thanksgiving to commemorate the end the Thirty Year War.
In the midst of this square is the New Residence, the Alte Hof, Rathaus, and many churches,

* most popular area in munich is marienplatz

* July Festivals und Events in Munich

June 29 - July 7, 2012 30TH MUNICH FILM FESTIVAL
The international film scene presents itself in Munich. Venues: Gasteig Kulturzentrum and many cinemas along the "Isar mile".

July 7 + 8, 2012 CLASSICAL MUSIC ON THE ODEONSPLATZ
Munich's great annual open-air concert of classical music is one of Munich's cultural summer highlights.

July 5 - July , 30, 2012 TOLLWOOD SUMMER FESTIVAL
Multicultural event with music, theater, culinary specialities. Venue: At the southern end of the Olympic Park.

for more info http://www.munich-touristinfo.de/events.htm

I hope that helpfull ,, have a nice trip Slavica

In the center of the Marienplatz, you’ll find the Mariensaule, the column of St. Mary, which was erected in 1683; topped by the golden statue of Virgin Mary, the column celebrated the end of the Swedish invasion during the 30 Years' War.

Marienplatz – Mary’s Square is the central square in the heart of Munich. From here, we explore many old and wonderful buildings, churches and landmarks. Marienplatz houses the Mariensäule, the Marian Column topped with the golden statue of Virgin Mary, and it is also home to the Old and the New Town Hall of Munich.
Dating back to the 12th century, Marienplatz used to be home to medieval markets, celebrations, and tournaments; today, the square is a a popular meeting point for locals and tourists alike.

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This is the centre of the Old Town of Munich, a very lively square. The centre of it is the Mariensäule, a column that was erected in 1638.
The Town Hall is an abundance of New Gothic style. It was constructed from 1867 to 1908 and I liked the building very much - I think it looked beautiful in the sunshine.
It also has a carillon with small figures that plays daily at 11.00 and 12.00, in summer also at 17.00.

Located at this square is also the Old Town Hall from the 15th century.

The square was very crowded, so we did not stay long.

This column is located just outside the town hall on Marienplatz. On the top of the column there is a golden statue of the Virgin Mary. It dates from 1638 and was erected to celebrate the end of Swedish occupation during the Thirty Years War.

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This astounding square is one of those you hope to find at every ancient big european cities and Munich's will not dissapoint you. Its impressive town hall (Neue Rathaus) which seems to be older than it really is roles the whole space. Here, after the initial visual dominion of this neogothic building you realise there is a column with Mary's golden statue at the top and gives the name to the place -Marienplatz or Mary's square-. At the east you see the old town hall (Alte Rathaus), Peterkirche's tower at the south and Frauenkirche's green bulbs leaning out from the east. In the middle, hundreds of tourists wandering, taking photos or trying to sit at the brewerys' seats. This is obviously one of the main places to visit here -or the main one- and it is definitely worth.

The New Town Hall was built at the end of XIXth century in a style inspired in gothic -neogothic- and hosts the city government. It has a great tower with a curious touristic attraction: the Glockenspiel, a kind of carillon with moving figures and music that sounds at a given hours a day (11 a.m. and 12 in the morning). There is a wide entrance for the public and, passing through, you find an inner courtyard with tables and umbrellas of a restaurant inside.

Coming out of the subway at Marienplatz you will find yourself at the Rathaus. Placed high above on the front of the Rathaus is the famous mechanical clock which attracts visitors to watch the life size figures dance, joust on horseback and many more movements. The clock has 43 bells and 32 life-sized figures in a 260 foot tower, which reenacts two scenes from Munich's history.
The whole feature takes about 15 minutes as each part has its solitary performance. Just as you think it is over, there is more.
It is worth it to see more at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rathaus-Glockenspiel
and find out its history. It is the largest of all clocks in Europe, and if you are in Munich, don't miss the performances.

The clock performances are at 11am, noon, and 5:00pm in the summertime.

Another way to see the clock is to go into the Hugendubel bookshop just across the street and climb to the third floor.

Located in the center of the old city of Munich, the Marienplatz is a big square surrounded by the old town hall, the new town hall and assorted stores and churches. In the center of the square is Mary's Colulmn put up to celebrate getting rid of Swedish troops who had occupied Munich in the early 1600's. A big attraction here is the Glockenspiel which is a large clock with figures who dance around on the hour. It had 43 bells and 32 life-sized figures. It shows a joust with knights on horseback, as well as the Cooper's Dance. It was a bit strange in our modern world so see hundreds of people standing around watching these simple figures on this ancient clock.