Königsplatz, a sprawling open urban space in the north-west of the city centre in the Maxvorstadt District, is one Munich’s largest public spaces.
Home to a number of famous Munich landmarks, this area is the cultural heart of the city.
The surrounding area (known as the Kunstareal), abounds with galleries, museums, green spaces and some incredible architecture.
Konigsplatz History
King Ludwig I was famous for quoting “I will not rest until Munich looks like Athens” and certainly, under his reign, he made excellent progress in achieving that goal.
As such, and Inspired by the might and fame of ancient Greece, King Ludwig commissioned the 19th Century urban planning construction development of Konigsplatz Munich.
By utilising the conceptual design skills of architect Karl von Fischer, Konigsplatz eventually became a reality through the vision of architect, writer and painter Leo von Klenze.
Konigsplatz Architecture
There are three amazing Neo-Classical buildings located on Königsplatz itself. As well as these there are many historical Munich Buildings within just a short five-minute stroll of Königsplatz.
The Propylaea (Propyläen)
A Grecian styled city gateway that was modelled on the Athenian Acropolis, and stands as a monument to Otto Ludwig, King of Greece from 1832 until 1862, and coincidentally, King Ludwig’s son.
This construction, symbolically and geographically, connects the Munich Old Town (Altstadt), with a new corridor of Munich urban development leading all the way to Nymphenburg Palace.
The Glyptothek
One of Munich’s archaeological museums, the Glyptothek was built in the classic Greek-Italian architectural style and made completely of marble.
This Munich Museum houses King Ludwig’s personal family display of ancient Greek and Roman sculpture. The façade, with its massive columns and exterior display of sculpture, is awesomely impressive.
The Staatliche Antikensammlungen
This is the Bavarian State Collection of Antiquities Museum, which is Munich’s ancient art museum.
Here you’ll find historical pieces made of pottery, bronze, glass, gold and more from Rome, Greece and Eritrea.
This is actually one of the most extensive collections of antique art in Germany and it’s silently overseen by the ever-watchful Phoenix that adorns the apex of the building’s entrance.
The Infamy of Konigsplatz
During the reign of the Third Reich, Königsplatz was the centre of Nazi propaganda and accommodated mass rallies in support of the Nationalist Socialist German Workers Party.
Symbolic book burning and much troop parading occurred here at Munich’s Konigsplatz as the Gestapo headquarters Munich was located nearby on Brienner Str, just a five-minute walk away.
Adolf Hitler convened here with his generals in the Führerbau (the Führer’s Building), built-in 1937 and is the site of the signing of “The Munich Agreement” in 1938, one of the main political pre-cursors to World War II.
The Führerbau is now Munich’s College of Music and Performance Art (Hochschule für Musik and Theatre).
Other nazi buildings in Munich were built here such as the Ehrentempel which was the mausoleum that obtained the bodies of the 16 Nazi party members killed at the nearby Feldherrnhalle from the failed Munich Putsch of 1923.
Of all the Munich Nazi sites, the Konigsplatz saw the most action and probably also the most involvement by the U.S. Army as part of German and Austrian denazification in post-war years.
Konigsplatz in the Bavarian Summer
Konigsplatz Munich is now a celebratory destination in the Munich summer supporting outdoor concerts and events such as TUNIX (which will hopefully get a reboot in 2022).
There are plenty of Instagram opportunities at Königsplatz, with the vast columns, angular stairs, and Grecian vibe of the architecture offering multiple photographic locations.
The square hosts summer outdoor cinema sessions that are very popular, and it’s also a city space well known for mass sunbathing where bronzed bodies frequenting the grassy expanses are somewhat commonplace in the warmer weather.
Bring your choice of food and drink, and enjoy the sunshine with a picnic on the lawns while appreciating the magnificence of your Greek and Roman surroundings.
Where is Konigsplatz?
Getting to Konigsplatz in Munich is very easy from the city centre. Located in the Maxvorstadt District Kings Square is just several hundred metres to the northwest of Munich’s Marienplatz. It is served by the U-Bahn underground station of the same name, Königsplatz on the U2 line, as well as by city bus on line 100 or 154.
Check directions and public transport times using the MOOVIT App
Walking to and from this part of the city, however, is free, and way better for your health.
Address: Konigsplatz 1, 80333 München, Germany, Munich
Konigsplatz – The Athens on the Isar
King Ludwig’s dream of transforming Konigsplatz into a “Mini-Athens” may not have come to total fruition, but the area certainly has a wide appeal for architectural enthusiasts and art lovers alike a well as serving as an outdoor hub for much of Munich’s outdoor public activities and festivals.
You could easily spend a day here at Königsplatz, especially if you love museums, as very close by there are a plethora of other Munich Museums just waiting to be discovered in the Kunstareal – the museum quarter of the city.
Want to explore more nearby, then why not check out Munich’s Egyptian Museum or perhaps the nearby Hofgarten.
Either way, make sure you explore our entire catalogue of Munich sights and attraction so you can get the best out of your experience in Munich.
Thanks for reading our wrap of Königsplatz in Munich, we hope you enjoyed the article.
What is the Entrance Fee to Konigsplatz?
There is no entrance fee to Königsplatz, it is a free Munich destination. However some of the historical sites about the area will have entrance fees.
What are the Busiest Days at Konigsplatz?
Friday, Saturday and Sunday is when the majority of tourists would visit the area and it goes without saying that the summer is the most popular time to visit Munich and outdoor areas of the city such as Konigplatz.
How Long Do I Need to Visit Königsplatz?
If you do not plan on visiting any museums and just want to snap some photos of the amazing architecture then 30 minutes would be more than enough to familiarise yourself with Kings Square.
How Popular is Königsplatz?
It’s estimated by Munich Council that around 5% of people who visit Munich take in the sights and sounds of Konigsplatz. Although it’s also true that a higher number of people visit the museums here in the area.
Where Can I Find More Information About Königsplatz München?
Wikipedia has a page dedicated to Konigsplatz and for a 360 degree view of the Kings Square check out the stadtpanoramen.de website