Altes Rathaus, A historical gem with a toy museum charm

Marienplatz 15, 80331 Munich

The buildings in Munich are relatively tall and heavy

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Introduction

The Old Town Hall, located on the east side of Marienplatz in the center of Munich, was the former city hall and is now used by the city council. The earliest documented records of this building can be traced back to 1310, with the famous Great Hall being built between 1392 and 1394. Later, the Old Town Hall was renovated into a Late Gothic style between 1470 and 1480. During the Renaissance period, the facade of the building was altered, and it was rebuilt as a Neo-Gothic structure between 1861 and 1864. However, with the relocation of the municipal institutions, the city hall was moved to the New Town Hall on the same square in 1874, and the Old Town Hall became a representative assembly hall. Tragic history had once occurred in this building. On November 9, 1938, Josef Goebbels delivered a speech in the Great Hall, marking the beginning of the Kristallnacht event. During the war, the Old Town Hall suffered significant damage, and its spire was not rebuilt until 1971-1974. Today, it houses historical relics and has become a unique tourist attraction in Munich.