Marienplatz, Munich

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The center square where a lot of people (tourists) converged daily. The tourist info centre is located in the new city hall (neues rathaus) building that I've mistaken for a church.

Walking distance from the hotel I've stayed in which is 3 blocks away from the hauptbahnhof.

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The "Münchner Christkindlmarkt"or the Christmas market is enchanting. Lights everywhere, small wooden shops on the street selling Christmas souvenirs, winter clothing, candles and many more. The Glühwein and Beer are richly available. Cheers.

Marienplatz is right in the heart of Munich. The main building on Marienplatz is the Town Hall with its 85 meter high tower. It was build at the end of the 19th century in Gothic style. The carillon with 42 bells and 32 copper statues come to live at noon and at five. This is one of main tourist attractions of Munich. The other building in the pictures is the old Town Hall build in the 15th century.

The pictures of the colourful buildings were taken in the Kaufingerstrasse. This is the main shopping street of Munich. It is a dream for everyone that likes shopping. There you can find all you desire, designer clothing, sourvenirs, electronics, huge high quality department stores... Don't leave your wife alone here, and certainly not with your credit card.

Link:
http://filipdemuinck-kristelpardon.blogspot.com/2009/12/munchner-christkindlmarkt-christmas.html

Munich is the 3rd most populous city in Germany and the capital of the federal state of Bavaria. The city itself is made up of historic buildings and impressive architecture, as much of Munich was reconstructed after World World II. National Geographic Traveler ranked Munich at number 30 out of top 100 historical destinations around the world.

One can spend many days discovering Munich… think BMW, beergarden, lederhosen, traditional Bavarian dishes… Mmmm. So far I’ve spent over a month in Munich, over 3 or 4 trips and it’s one of my favorite cities to visit and work in. This will be first of many 1-day itineraries for this fabulous city and I’ll start with the city center or better known as Marienplatz.

A really lovely building and one I admired very much. The palace of justice was erected between 1891-97 and designed by Friedrich von Thiersch. He combined some Renaissance and Baroque elements, giving the building this great feel about it.
It is the seat of Bavaria's highest court, so make sure that you visit it as a tourist, not as a criminal.

A lovely sunny day when we arrived in Munich on our way to Weilheim. This ever-popular central square of Munich with the impressive huge Neo-Gothic Rathaus (Town Hall) and its famous Glockenspiel is visited and photographed by every tourist to this city.

This is the place for many celebrations and activities throughout the year.

Just off it you will find a fantastic open air market on Saturdays selling the freshest of fruits and other delights.

In the Marienplatz, Munichs most famous site centrally (don't say the Olympia Stadium is, I have said Centrally) and you will hear just about tongue from around the world. Quite spectacular and definitely easy to see.

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This is the old town center and empties into the pedestrian concourse consisting of Kaufingerstrasse which connects east to Neubauer and east to the Tal. On the east side of the square is a great department store. The activity in the square is greatest at 11AM, 5PM and 11PM (and noon in tourist season) when the carillon and automated figures perform on the face of the Neue Rathaus (Town Hall) Tower looking out on the square. Before the tower is the Mariensaule, a column of Thanksgiving, and to the east the Alte Rathaus. Before and after the show various street performers attract money from the crowd as they wait. Before Christmas there is a Christkindlmarkt and stalls are placed in the square and walking streets. (These features are covered in separate Tips).

I loved very much this pedestrian area full of life in the very heart of Munich. However, the Glockenspiel dissapointed me a bit, since I expected more from the 'performance' and I found it not so worthwhile.

The view from the top of the 'Rathaus' is very nice. Ticket 2€.

Marienplatz has got a great atmosphere at night. You can sit down at any of the cafes outside and listen to a musician or if your like me and you prefer a pint you can head to one of the beer halls in the area although it can get quite smoky in the hall. And make sure to go on a Friday or Saturday night .

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Shown in the picture is Marienplatz. I love Bayern, lived a year there, and visited munich three times. Once, in dreary winter weather, but i was so excited i still went, second, to see the Neuschwanstein castle nearby, third to see the Deutsche Technische Museum. Every time it was mandatory to make a visit to marienplatz. Walk down this amazing street and see the weatlh of bavaria, nice people, until you reach the Town hall (Das Rathaus) Es ist wunderbar!
Get yourself a german glass boot like i did, see whats going on in the square next to the edifying town hall, as long as there are not dominatrix and gays/lesbians gathering for a parade like when i went ARGGGH!, and see the Frauenkirche as well, which you can take an elevator to the top (Yes, there is an elevator!!)

Do some shopping, talk to the locals (germans are amazing people i think youll find), and why not go into a bierhall for your first Mass of beer!!