Page 524 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

522  GERM AN Y , A USTRIA , AND SWITZERLAND

2 Frauenkirche end of the square stands the
Frauenplatz 1.  or  Karlsplatz, Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall).
Marienplatz. v 19. Tower: Open Apr– Originally built in the late 15th
Oct: Mon–Sat. & century, it has been rebuilt
many times since. The high
The site of the Frauenkirche was tower, above the old city gate
originally occupied by a small beside the town hall, was rebuilt
chapel dedicated to the Virgin in 1975 to a design based on
Mary, built in the 13th century. pictures dating from 1493. Since
Some 200 years later, a new, 1983, the tower has been the
much larger church was built home of the city’s Spiel­
here by the architects Jörg von zeugmuseum (Toy Museum).
Halspach and Lukas Rottaler. The
new Frauenkirche (or Dom) was 4 Stadtmuseum
completed in 1488, although the
distinctive copper onion domes St. Jakobsplatz 1. Tel 089-23 32 23 70.
were not added to its towers Altes Rathaus and the Talbrucktor  or  Marienplatz.  Sendlinger
until 1525. The church is one on Marienplatz Tor. Open Tue–Sun. &
of southern Germany’s largest
Gothic structures. Over 100 m 3 Marienplatz The collection of the city
(330 ft) long and 40 m (130 ft)  or  Marienplatz. museum has been housed
wide, it can accommodate a Spielzeugmuseum: Tel 089-29 40 01. since 1880 in this former
congregation of about 2,000 Open daily. & arsenal. Exhibits illustrate daily
people. The vast triple-naved life in Munich throughout the
hall has no transept. There are In medieval times, Marienplatz ages. One of the greatest
long rows of side chapels and a was Munich’s salt- and corn- treasures is the “Dancing
gallery surrounding the choir. For market. In the center stands a Moors” by Erasmus Grasser
a good view of central Munich, column with a statue of the (1480). Originally, there were
you can take an elevator to the Virgin Mary dating from 1623. 18 highly expressive limewood
top of one of the towers. The square is dominated by the carvings of dancing figures
Partly demolished in 1944–5, Neo-Gothic Neues Rathaus surrounding the figure of a
the church was rebuilt after (New Town Hall), built in 1867– woman, but only ten survive.
World War II. Church treasures 1909. Its walls are adorned The Waffenhalle has a fine
that escaped destruction with statues of Bavarian rulers, collection of arms and armor.
include a painting of the Virgin mythological figures, saints, and There are also displays of
by Jan Polack (c.1500), the altar monstrous gargoyles. At 11am furniture, paintings, prints,
of St. Andrew in the Chapel of and 5pm, the center of photographs, dolls, and musical
St. Sebastian, and the huge attention is the clock tower. The instruments. The vast doll
monumental tomb of Ludwig IV bells ring out a carillon, while collection includes paper dolls
the Bavarian, the first member figures of knights fight a from India and China, as well
of the house of Wittelsbach tournament and a crowd dances. as automata and puppets.
to be elected Holy Roman The dance is the “Coopers’ Also located in the square
Emperor (c.1283–1347). The Dance,” first performed in 1517 is the Judisches Zentrum
monument was the work of to raise citizens’ morale during a Jakobsplatz (the Jewish Center),
Hans Krumpper (1619–22). plague epidemic. At the eastern housed in a cube-shaped,
freestanding building. Three
floors of exhibitions, a library,
and a learning center offer
extensive information on
Jewish culture and history, and
highlight important aspects
of contemporary Jewish life.

5 Asamkirche
Sendlinger Straße 32.  Sendlinger
Tor. v 16, 17, 18, 27. @ 52, 152.
Open daily.
This extraordinary Rococo
church is dedicated to St. John
Nepomuk, but is known as
the Asamkirche after the
The distinctive roof and towers of Munich’s Frauenkirche, seen from the top of city hall brothers Cosmas Damian
For hotels and restaurants see pp546–8 and pp549–51

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