Old Town Hall, Munich, Medieval town hall at Marienplatz, Munich, Germany.
The Old Town Hall closes Marienplatz to the east with a white Gothic stepped-gable facade beside a taller tower. The tower has a black-and-gold clock face, a painted crest and a red-tiled roof; the main gable carries a copper-green spire and statues. Inside, the Grand Hall has a dark wood coffered ceiling, white upper walls, dark wood panelling and three tall arched windows.
The building was first documented in 1310 and served as Munich's seat of government until the administration relocated to the New Town Hall in 1874. Its late-Gothic design reflects the medieval period when it was built.
The Great Hall's coffered wooden barrel vault was carved by Hans Wenger in 1476/77, and its cornice carries a frieze of 99 town coats of arms painted by Ulrich Fuetrer. Erasmus Grasser's Morris dancers, made around 1480 for the council chamber, survive only as copies here; the originals belong to the Munich City Museum. The Bavarian Landtag met in this hall in 1677.
The Old Town Hall sits on Marienplatz, which is served by the U3 and U6 subway lines, all S-Bahn lines from S1 through S8, and bus line 52. The location is in Munich's old town center, so expect crowds during peak visiting times.
The tower's octagon holds a bronze bell from the Erdinger foundry, tuned to d1 and struck every half and full hour. Called the Marktglocke, it is also rung for two minutes shortly before 11 a.m. on weekdays. The 56-metre tower itself was rebuilt in 1971–1974 by Erwin Schleich following the Gothic original of 1493.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,787 contributors worldwide.
