Third Stop: Marienplatz!
Marienplatz has served as the city center of Munich since 1158. We are guessing the place was a bit smaller back then! Marienplatz is a must see for any visitor to Munich. It includes both the old and new town halls the latter of which contains the famous Glockenspiel which has more than 40 separate bells and 32 life sized figures. Every day at 11 AM as well as 12 PM the Glockenspiel comes to life and reenacts two stories from the 16th Century. The upper level depicts the marriage of Duke Wilhelm V and Renata of Lorraine while the bottom level depicts the “Coopers Dance” or Schäfflertanz. The Glockenspiel show lasts about 15 minutes and you will know it is over when the small golden rooster at the top sounds three times.
Also in Marienplatz is the Mariensäule or “Mary’s Column”. It was erected in 1638 to celebrate the end of the Thirty Years War and Swedish occupation. Remember that guy who wanted all the beer? You will find all kinds of interesting people and other sights around Marienplatz. One word of caution, Marienplatz, like other large gathering areas in Germany is an attraction to those who have bad intentions. Be aware of pickpockets and various scammers trying to solicit money.
There is so much to explore in the city center. After you are done sight seeing at Marienplatz you can wander the side streets for hours looking at different shops. If shopping is your flavor head over to Maximilianstrasse for designer shops and luxury boutiques like Louis Vuitton, Versace, Gucci, and Tiffany & Co. You are also likely to see some fairly exotic sports cars as this is the spot to “cruise” in Munich. Now that we have seen the historic city center of Munich it is time to move on. Click the next page to find out where!
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