The Glockenspiel
Thirty-two life-size figures that move, play and act out a royal wedding. The show lasts about ten minutes.
Burkhard Mücke — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Donald Judge — CC BY 2.0 · Álvaro de la Paz Franco — CC0 · Álvaro de la Paz Franco — CC0
Marienplatz is the heart of Munich and the starting point for any visit. It has been a market square since 1158, and today every street in the old town seems to meet here. The large building with the pointed towers is the New Town Hall. It looks old and Gothic but was actually built in the late nineteenth century. Its tower holds the famous Glockenspiel: thirty-two life-size figures that move, play music and act out a royal wedding and an old dance. It runs at set times each day, and people gather in the square to watch. In the middle stands a column from 1638 topped by a figure of the Virgin Mary, which is where the square gets its name. You can also ride a lift up the town hall tower for a small fee to see the rooftops. The square is free and always open. In December it becomes Munich's main Christmas market.
Thirty-two life-size figures that move, play and act out a royal wedding. The show lasts about ten minutes.
A lift takes you up for a view over the old town roofs and the nearby Frauenkirche towers.
A column from 1638 in the middle of the square, and the source of its name.
An open food market two minutes' walk away, with cheese, bread and local produce.
Marienplatz, 80331 München
MariensäuleThe Mariensäule is a marble column in the middle of Marienplatz, topped by a gol1 minute walk4.6
New Town HallThe New Town Hall is the large building with pointed towers filling the north si1 minute walk4.8
St Peter's ChurchMunicher call it the Alter Peter, Old Peter, and it is the oldest parish church 1 minute walk4.8
Toy Museum MunichThe Toy Museum is a small museum inside the tower of the Old Town Hall, right on2 minutes walk4.5
The Ruffini HousesThree adjoining buildings near Marienplatz, built between 1903 and 1905, their f2 minutes walk4.4At fixed times through the day, with more shows in the summer months. The schedule is posted in the square and on the city website. Stand opposite the building for a clear view, and come ten minutes early to get a spot.
Yes if you want a view of the old town — the fee is small and there is a lift, so no stairs. But if time is short, the square itself matters more.
Early morning for photographs without crowds. But the square looks best in the evening when the buildings are lit. Avoid midday in summer if you dislike heavy crowds.