It’s not only the heart of the city, it is the office of the mayor and the Town Hall, where all important city business is enacted. But perhaps most importantly, the square in front of Town Hall is where many of Munich residents arrange to meet, at Marienplatz, under the Glockenspiel in city hall tower or near the statue of the Virgin, protectress of the city.

Town Hall, “das Rathaus”, has also been, and remains to be, a place of enthronement, for example when the celebratory caravan carrying the German soccer champions of the Bayern München team travel from the airport to the town hall balcony to be feted with champagne and cheered on by a sea of fans.

The well-known frontal view of the building is in strong contrast to the lesser-known silhouette of the inner courtyard, often bathed in refreshing shade with its inviting atmosphere, perfect for a quiet meal; or the cellar with its traditional town hall labyrinthine restaurant; or the rear wing of the building, which is devoted to art exhibitions. All of this, in addition to the usual official goings-on of governing and administrating, is what defines Munich’s Town Hall. Not to mention its highly-professional self-marketing, with its perfect central location, adorned on all four sides with all types of attractive stores.

Although it has the look of a Gothic cathedral, it was built between 1867 and 1909 and is actually only 100 years old. Its Flemish Neo-Gothic style - back then strongly criticized and ridiculed in comparison to the Greek, Roman and Florentinestyle edifices from the King Ludwig I era - is today admired by the masses. Das Rathaus is one of Munich’s most important landmarks, and is not only famous and loved because of its musical glockenspiel.