During the late thirteenth century (and into the fourteenth), Munich was growing exponentially. Beginning in 1285, the first defensive city wall received a second, double-ring fortification. Created by these new defensive works were five checkpoint gates for entering and exiting the city. Along the western edge of the town, the Neuhauser tor (“tor” meaning gate) connected the main road leading out of the Marienplatz (in the city center) with the very next town (known as Neuhauser) along the old “salt road.” This gate was first recorded in 1301 documents. Three hundred years later, the first inner town wall was demolished, except for the five gates.
In 1791, Bavarian Elector Karl Theodore ordered the fortifications around the Neuhausertor turn down in order to create a large square. This area became known officially as “Karlsplatz” and the gate was renamed “Karlstor.” Because Elector Theodore was unpopular with Munich’s inhabitants, the locals refused to use the official name of the square, instead opting to use the nickname “Stachus,” after a pub abutting the square. During 1857, gunpowder stored inside Karls gate exploded, damaging the main tower of the gate.
The most prominent buildings within Karlsplatz comprise the Palace of Justice complex (contains two courthouses and administrative buildings). However, amongst locals, the most popular feature of the square (especially during summer months) is its large fountain. In winter months, an open-air ice rink is installed here. In 1972, the thoroughfare connecting the square with the city center was turned into a pedestrian walkway.
Of the five original gates into the city, today only three remain; Karlstor on the western edge; Isator in the east; and Sandlingtor in the south-west. For those who like to explore places “deeper,” a large underground shopping mall exists beneath Karlsplatz. Excavations during the creation of this underground shopping mall uncovered remnants of a tunnel with brick masonry. Speculation is that perhaps medieval soldiers used it to get behind enemy lines.
Discovering these bits of information about the places we’ve been visiting is what has been making our travels so enjoyable and fun.
In 1791, Bavarian Elector Karl Theodore ordered the fortifications around the Neuhausertor turn down in order to create a large square. This area became known officially as “Karlsplatz” and the gate was renamed “Karlstor.” Because Elector Theodore was unpopular with Munich’s inhabitants, the locals refused to use the official name of the square, instead opting to use the nickname “Stachus,” after a pub abutting the square. During 1857, gunpowder stored inside Karls gate exploded, damaging the main tower of the gate.
The most prominent buildings within Karlsplatz comprise the Palace of Justice complex (contains two courthouses and administrative buildings). However, amongst locals, the most popular feature of the square (especially during summer months) is its large fountain. In winter months, an open-air ice rink is installed here. In 1972, the thoroughfare connecting the square with the city center was turned into a pedestrian walkway.
Of the five original gates into the city, today only three remain; Karlstor on the western edge; Isator in the east; and Sandlingtor in the south-west. For those who like to explore places “deeper,” a large underground shopping mall exists beneath Karlsplatz. Excavations during the creation of this underground shopping mall uncovered remnants of a tunnel with brick masonry. Speculation is that perhaps medieval soldiers used it to get behind enemy lines.
Discovering these bits of information about the places we’ve been visiting is what has been making our travels so enjoyable and fun.
Looking in towards Karlsplatz through Karlstor ( one of the three remaining old city wall gates).
Archival artist’s rendition of what the Karlsgate and old fortifications looked like 600 years ago.
While the Palace of Justice on the edge of the square is the most prominent building...
...the large fountain just inside the gate is the most popular feature with locals. During the winter, this becomes an ice skating rink.
Old photo of the square before its 1972 transformation into a pedestrian walkway.
Underneath Karlsplatz is a large underground shopping mall.
During construction of the underground mall, excavators discovered remnants of a tunnel believed to have been used by medieval soldiers to get behind enemy lines,
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