A few minutes by foot from Munich’s famous Marienplatz are over 140 permanent stalls where tourists and locals alike can purchase fresh produce, meat, cheese and a host of other items such as seasonal flowers and decorations. Open year-round, exotic and local articles abound and a beer garden resides in the midst of its 22,000 square meters (about 5.4 acres).
The vast selection of products available cannot be overstated. Visitors can stroll past spices, herbs, fruits, vegetables, eggs, cheese, butter, fish, honey, tea, meat, wine flowers, plants and myriad other items.
History of Munich's Viktualienmarkt
The original town market of Munich was in nearby Marienplatz. The city grew and the market grew accordingly until it was too big for the space. King Maximilian I decreed that it be moved in 1807 to Viktualienmarkt’s present location. Although it was not known as Viktualienmarkt until much later, the locale was set.
Throughout its history, the marketplace was enlarged when necessary and permanent stalls and market halls were added, such as a fish hall and bakers’ pavilions. Understandably, World War II caused some damage to the area, but the city restored it afterward. Memorial fountains were added and dedicated to German folk singers and comedians, with metal sculptures of one personage atop each one in animated poses as if they are entertaining.
Maypoles in Europe
In the middle of the Viktualienmarkt stands a tall pole resembling a ship’s mast bearing small metal depictions of local trades and crafts. This so-called Maypole is vestige of times when most people could not read and the town or district wanted to advertise its products and guilds to visitors.
Open-Air Beer Garden (Biergarten)
Surrounding the Maypole is the Viktualienmarkt’s beer garden. Rows of typical metal and wood communal tables and benches serve as a rest area for locals and tourists alike who want to enjoy Munich’s local brews. One of Munich’s breweries is featured there each week on a rotating basis. You can buy beer food as well, including the famous Weisswurst that should not be missed.
Hours of Operation for the Viktualienmarkt
All the stalls are open from Monday through Friday from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., and on Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. Some open earlier and some close later but they are all open during these business hours.
How to Get to the Viktualienmarkt behind St. Peter’s (Peterskirche)
Take the tram (S-Bahn) lines 1 through 8, subway (U-bahn) lines 3 or 6, or bus line 52 to Marienplatz. From there walk southeast and pass St. Peter’s Church. Call Munich’s Tourist Office for more information at +49 89 233 96 500, Monday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. and Saturday 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Karren Tolliver - Karren Doll Tolliver is from the Midwest USA and received a BA in English from Mississippi University for Women in 1984. Writing since she ...
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