Good Attractions in Altstadt (München)

Löwenturm

The Löwenturm tower is situated on Rindermarkt, one of the oldest streets in Munich which, as suggested by the German name, was once the site of a cattle market. It was flanked on all sides by the houses of some of wealthiest families in Munich. After the area was badly damaged in the Second World War, the Löwenturm was uncovered in the clear up that followed. Often wrongly taken for part of the original city walls, it was actually a water tower for a garden that now no longer exists. It dates back to the 16th century and, surrounded as it is today by new buildings, looks like a relic of an age long since past.

Herkulessaal

Music is an essential part of Munich. This hall in the Residenz Palace, simplistic in design but ideal for music, hosts some of the finest symphony and chamber concerts in the country. Under the watchful eyes of Hercules, whose heroic deeds are portrayed on the walls, many a famous orchestra has guested alongside the Bayerischer Rundfunk Symphony Orchestra and the Munich Symphonic. Promenade concerts by the Bayerische Rundfunk take place here regularly on Sundays, as does the 'musica viva' series, featuring contemporary electronic music.

Dreifaltigkeitskirche

There is quite a story to the events that led to the building of the Dreifaltigkeitskirche. During the War of the Spanish Succession, a local girl had a vision that Munich would only be spared if a church were built. For a while the warning went unheeded, but when the city was threatened in 1704, influential citizens decided to follow the girl's divine judgement. The foundation stone was laid in 1711 and the task entrusted to architects Viscardi, Ettenhofer and Zuccalli. The convex late-baroque facade, bearing a mixture of Italian and Bavarian influences, is particularly noteworthy. Works by several noted artists can be found inside, such as the fresco on the ceiling by Cosmas Asam.

Bazargebäude

Together with the Odeon, Palais Leuchtenberg and Feldherrnhalle, this classical building on the west side of the Hofgarten makes up one of Munich's most stunning architectural showpieces. The Bazargebäude was erected in 1824-26 by Munich's most illustrious architect, Leo von Klenze, and marks the start of the prestigious Ludwigstraße. The building is now home to the Filmcasino and Luigi Tambosi.

Mariensäule

The Mariensäule was built in 1638 to fulfil an oath made by the Elector Maximilian I after Munich was occupied, but not destroyed, by the Swedes under Gustav Adolf during the Thirty Years' War. The column was erected as a reminder of the plague of 1634 in which 7,000 residents, a third of the city's population, died. On the pedestal you can see the baroque symbols for war (lions), hunger (dragons), disbelief (snakes) and the plague (basilisk) being fought (and defeated) by small cherubs. The twelve-metre-high Corinthian column is crowned by 'The Virgin Mary on the Crescent Moon' (late Gothic with Renaissance influences). Originally created in 1593 by Hubert Gerhard for the grave of Duke Wilhelm V, the Virgin Mary symbolises the Queen of Heaven (with a sceptre and crown). The Infant Jesus is depicted holding the imperial orb in his hand.

Alte Akademie

Made up of four wings, this imposing Renaissance building was originally erected as a Jesuit school at the end of the sixteenth century. After the Jesuit Order was banned in 1773, the house was used by a variety of different institutions including the Bavarian State Library between 1774-1843 and the Academy of Fine Arts in 1784-1885. Munich's university was even temporarily accommodated here until its campus was completed. The Alte Akademie was destroyed in the Second World War but was rebuilt and is now home to the Regional Department of Statistics.

Karlstor

Built between 1285-1347, Karlstor served as Munich's western city gate until Prince Karl Theodor ordered the city walls to be demolished in 1791. Only the gate was left standing and was renamed after the prince. In 1899-1902 Karlsplatz was redesigned by the architect Gabriel von Siedl. The gate was incorporated as the centrepiece of the neo-baroque square, which now also features a stunning fountain erected in 1972. Karlstor marks the border between the old and new parts of town.

Marienplatz

Marienplatz has been at the thick of things ever since the city was founded by Henry the Lion in 1158. It was once a salt and grain market, but is now a magnet for tourists who flock here to marvel at the Gothic facade of the town hall. The bells in the town hall tower peal at 11a (as well as noon and 5p in the Summer) accompanied by a glockenspiel depicting a medieval dance and the wedding of Duke William V and Renata von Lothringen. The Mariensäule stands in the middle of the square.

Ludwigskirche St. Ludwig

St Ludwig's Church was built in the New Roman Byzantine style and boasts of monumental wall paintings. Located opposite the Theatinerkirche St. Kajetan, St Ludwig's towers high over Schellingstrasse. The interior, with frescos by Peter von Cornelius, exudes a peaceful, romantic atmosphere. The fresco 'Das jüngste Gericht', a copy of Michelangelo's 'Jüngstes Gericht' in Rome, is one of the largest frescos ever painted. St.Ludwig's was built in 1829-44 by Friedrich Gärtner and acted as both the university and parish church. It was built at the request of King Ludwig I, who wished a church to be built on the newly constructed Ludwigstraße. The church was heavily damaged during the War, and repair work took until 1958 to complete. Nowadays, St Ludwig's basks in all its splendor.

Alter Peter (St. Peter)

Alter Peter (Old Peter) is the tower of the oldest parish church in Munich, St Peter's Church. The valiant visitor who manages to climb the 302 steps to the top will have an incomparable view of Munich and, on a clear day, the Alps look close enough to touch. St. Peter's was named after the old hill on which it stands, the Petersberg. There was apparently a chapel on the site before Munich was founded, which was then replaced with a Romanesque structure in the 11th century and later a Gothic building. In the 14th century, the double-tower was redeveloped to form the single tower facade of the church which remains today. Over the centuries, St. Peter's underwent even more changes, mainly in the Baroque and Rococo periods.