Quote: I believe that the main squares of major European cities should be designated as tourist destinations. The Marienplatz, in the heart of Munich, is no exception. It’s a fascinating place to hang out. In the Middle Ages, the square was a market place, as well as a tournament site, and headquarters for festivals. The market is no longer there, but the square still functions as the central jumping-off point for going anywhere in Munich.

The square was named after the Mariensäule, built in 1638 to celebrate both the victory over the invading Swedish army during the 30 Years' War, and the end of the plague. The golden Virgin Mary is standing on a crescent moon atop the 11-meter high column. It was the first such column north of the Alps, and inspired similar monuments in Prague, Vienna, and elsewhere.

Though the square is named after Mary, it is dominated by the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus) on its northern side. This monumental, 79-meter high, Flemish Gothic-style building took 42 years to build and was finished in 1909. Its mechanical clock, or Glockenspiel, plays every day at 11am, and noon, year-round, and 5pm in the summertime. As the chimes ring out, doors open, and figures emerge and begin to dance. The Glockenspiel celebrates two events from Munich's past. The colorful dancers are doing the Schafflertanz, or dance of the coopers—this to memorialize the end of the Black Death plague in 1517. There is also a reenactment of a famous tournament held for the royal wedding between Wilhelm V and Renata von Lothringen, that took place in Marienplatz in 1568. The Bavarian knight (blue-white) wins the joust against the Austrian (red-white) every time. A rooster at the top crows three times after all the bells stop ringing. The Glockenspiel was installed in 1903, and rebuilt after WW II.

The Gothic style Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) still stands near its successor. It was completely destroyed during WW II, but rebuilt afterwards. It now houses a toy museum, which Tom and I skipped in favor of having a beer at the open-air restaurant in a courtyard in the New Town Hall. There are also a number of restaurants and cafes around the square. I understand that the Glockenspiel Cafe, on the fifth floor of a building just opposite the Town Hall, is the best place to watch the Glockenspiel “show.”

There is also an interesting fountain, the Fischbrunnen (Fish Fountain) on the western side of the square. Just beyond the fountain you will find the Gothic Frauenkirche, with its dual onion-domed towers. We found out too late that one of the towers has an elevator, which leads to an excellent view over the city.

Since Marienplatz is the center of the Alstadt (Old Town), and the hub of the U-Bahn and S-Bahn train system, you can easily get anywhere you want to go from there, walking or riding. It is also a great place for people-watching.
From journals Melancholy Munich

Quote: Our first stop was the Marienplatz w/ the beautifully ornate Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) & the Alter Rathausturm (Old Town Hall). The "New" Town Hall was built between 1867-1909. Beyond it, rising steeply to the sky, the distinctive copper onion domes of the Frauenkirche. Time your visit to the Marienplatz for 11 a.m. or 5 p.m. for the Glockenspiel Performance. Then head over to the Hofbrauhaus (Beer Hall), a short walk away.
From journals Munich Sparkles

Quote: Stroll along the Marienplatz - the Munich`s hub. And the heart of the Altstadt. Platz is dedicated to the patron of the city, whose golden statue atop a huge column stands in the center of the square. On its north side is the Neues Rathaus (New City Hall) built in 19-th century Gothic style.
From journals Munich, Bavaria

Quote: Two main things to see in Munich are, of course, Marienplatz (Mary's square - main square) and Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady). On most postcards you find either Dom or Townhalls (`old` and `new`), the only exception I can admit is Octoberfest, but it is a seasonal thing, and mostly a cultural event, not the city sightseeing.

Marienplatz is a magneto - all tourist roads lead to this square. I returned to the square twice while walking in random directions :) Townhalls, both old and new are located here, and besides that, Marienplatz is a place where main shopping streets meet. The square becomes especially crowded three times a day, when clocks in a Townhall's tower are ringing with a small show (Clocks are known as Glockenspiel), but it is hard to say when there are no people at all on the square, because of the centric location and the fact that the tourist information office can be found on the ground floor of the Townhall. Read more about Townhalls on a specific page!

From journals Bavarian Capital