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Viktualienmarkt

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Anne-Marie
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Viktualien Market

  • November 3, 2006
  • Rated 4 of 5 by LenR from Townsville, Australia
Viktualien Market

This is right at the heart of the city and is a ‘must-see’ for all visitors. This open-air market is a feast for the eyes and palette, and just full of local color.

This huge square has been the city’s main marketplace for over two hundred years. There are stalls selling fruit and vegetables brought in daily from suburban orchards and gardens, food stalls and a large beer garden. You can buy fresh vegetables, fruits, cheeses, meat, fowl, ham, salami, sausages, wine, tea, honey, herbs and spices, fresh flowers, dried flowers, and more. It offers exotic ingredients that are not available anywhere else in the area.

Although it was originally all open-air, over the years a number of market halls were added: Schrannenhalle, the precursor to today's "Großmarkthalle" or Great Market Hall, which burnt down in 1932, a butchers' hall, fish hall, pavilions for bakeries and fruit vendors, stands for fowl and venison and flower shops were added.

The visitor sees pyramids of giant white radishes, sturdy orange-red carrots, waxy white and green leeks, globes of red, green, and white cabbage, turnips from small, violet tinged globes to giant rutabagas and potatoes in all shapes and sizes. Even more typical are the ropes and garlands of the famed Bavarian wursts - the typical big German sausage like the snowy veal Weisswurste which is steamed, coarser pork bratwurst that is fried, as its name implies, red and spicy, long thin Polnischers, and the pungent, rough-textured Regensburger.

Some of the wares are sold outdoors under umbrellas and canopies, many sporting the Bavarian state colours of blue and white. In winter, transparent plastic panels protect those stalls from the elements. The owners of the stalls present their food in a very decorative way, so that you involuntarily stop right in front of each one and just look at the food. Many of the sales assistants let you sample what you would like to try as long as you don't overdo it. Nowhere else in Munich can you find a greater variety of fresh food and delicacies. And after shopping, stop off at the beer hall and sit under the trees.

The market is open Monday to Friday from 9am till 6pm, Saturday from 8am till 4pm.

The market also hosts a number of traditional and folkloric events such as weighing celebrities, brewers’ day, gardeners’ day, opening of the asparagus season, summer festival, dance of the market women on Shrove Tuesday, etc. This helps to make the Viktualienmarkt, which has been a pedestrian zone since November 6, 1975 a meeting point and a place to chill.

An impressive view over the market and nearby Marienplatz can be enjoyed from the tower of St. Peter’s Church, which stands beside the square.

From journal The Art and Culture of Munich

Viktualienmarkt

Viktualienmarkt

This market is lovely to wander through, it makes you wish you were a German hausfrau! There are quite a few inexpensive little places to get a bite to eat and a beer, which was our whole reason for going. For tourists, I wouldn't say there's a whole lot you're going to buy here, but it's worth going have having a look around, if only to be envious of the variety of sausages!

From journal A Short Break in Munich

Viktualienmarkt

  • August 13, 2003
  • Rated 4 of 5 by miriam1981 from Cork, Ireland
The Viktualienmarkt is located at the end of the pedestrian zone off the Marienplatz, and is one of the city´s major attractions. When you stand on the market you are also very close to where the founding fathers erected the first benedictine settlement aroun the year 1000. The market itself was founded in 1807 as a small 'herb market' and has developed over the years into one of Munich's biggest markets. Every day (except Sunday) you can buy delicious-looking fruit and vegetables, all kinds of cheeses, meats, and other foodstuffs. Some of the wares are sold outdoors under umbrellas and canopies, many sporting the Bavarian state colours: white and blue.

At the heart of the market is a traditional maypole surrounded by a beer garden. A May Pole is a unique Bavarian custom. Its history dates back to the 16th century. A maypole is decorated with pictures of the main buildings and the main crafts of the village or even city. It is also a tradition that men set up a small May Pole at the house of the girl he loves.

From journal Munich the capital of Bavaria

Viktualienmarkt

  • February 2, 2002
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Globe from Salt Lake City, Utah
To get a real taste of Munich, find your way to the Viktualienmarkt. This open-air market is held each day except Sunday. The many vendors sell all kinds of food-cheese, bread, sausages, beer, pastries-along with flowers, fabric, and more. This is a great place to mingle with local people. Also, it is an affordable way to have a snack or a drink if you do not want to spend too much time in a restaurant or pub.

From journal Munich, Germany

Viktualienmarkt

  • July 27, 2001
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Anne-Marie from Vienna, Virginia
Viktualienmarkt

A few minutes' walk south of the Marienplatz, you will run into Viktualienmarkt, Munich's most prominent food market with hundreds of colorful open-air stalls.

There are stands selling everything from beer and wine to fruits, cheese and meats. There are lots of stuff to taste! A good lunch can also be had from one of the many food stands selling beer, sausages and other foods.

Operating hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 6:00pm and Saturday from 7:30am to 1:00pm. However for the best selection, come very early. The merchants close down whenever their day's inventory is sold out so very few stalls remain open in the afternoon.

From journal Munich and other towns on the Romantic Road

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