Marienplatz
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Marienplatz, Mary's Square in English, has been the foundation and heart of Munich, Germany since 1158.
In the Middle Ages markets and tournaments were held in this city square. The bell in the new city hall was inspired by these tournaments, and draws millions of tourists a year.
Marienplatz was named after the Mariensäule, a Marian column erected in its centre in 1638 to celebrate the end of Swedish occupation. It is home to Munich's old city hall, and the new city hall. "[The new city hall was] built 1867 - 1909 in Flanders Gothic style; its facade, over 300 feet in length, features strikingly elaborate stone ornamentation. Its 260-foot tower with carillon is, with St. Peter's Church and the twin towers of the Cathedral, one of the most distinctive features of the city's skyline." explains muenchen.de, which also ranks Marienplatz as one of the top ten sites in Munich.
Munich's old city hall is the most easterly building on the square. It's a gothic council hall and ballroom and tower, which have been reconstructed.
