The Monkey Tower
A small corner tower carrying an old story about a monkey that snatched the heir and returned him unharmed.
Fentriss — CC0 · Amrei-Marie — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Amrei-Marie — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikiolo — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Alter Hof was the first residence of the Wittelsbach rulers of Bavaria, built in the thirteenth century when Munich was still a small town. It is a square courtyard enclosed by old buildings, entered through a vaulted passage in the old town, and easy to walk past without noticing. The courtyard is free and open, and its best-known feature is the small corner tower called the Monkey Tower. An old story tells of a monkey at the prince's court that snatched the infant heir, carried him up to the roof, and brought him back unharmed. Today the courtyard holds restaurants and cafés and a small free exhibition explaining the history of the place.
A small corner tower carrying an old story about a monkey that snatched the heir and returned him unharmed.
A quiet space enclosed by medieval buildings, away from the crowds of nearby Marienplatz.
A free display on early Munich and the Wittelsbach family who ruled Bavaria for centuries.
Alter Hof 1, 80331 München
Toy Museum MunichThe Toy Museum is a small museum inside the tower of the Old Town Hall, right on2 minutes walk4.5
New Town HallThe New Town Hall is the large building with pointed towers filling the north si3 minutes walk4.8
MariensäuleThe Mariensäule is a marble column in the middle of Marienplatz, topped by a gol3 minutes walk4.6
MarienplatzMarienplatz is the heart of Munich and the starting point for any visit. It has 3 minutes walk4.8
St Peter's ChurchMunicher call it the Alter Peter, Old Peter, and it is the oldest parish church 3 minutes walk4.8Not on its own, but it is minutes from Marienplatz and on your route through the old town. Step in for twenty minutes to escape the crowds and see a corner of early Munich that many visitors miss.
An old folk tale says a monkey at the court of Prince Ludwig IV seized his infant son, carried him onto the tower roof, then climbed down and returned him unharmed. There is no historical evidence for it, but it stuck in the city's memory and gave the tower its name.
Marienplatz and the town hall clock are three minutes away, the Frauenkirche with its distinctive twin domes is close by, and the Residenz five minutes off. All on one walk through the old town.