Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall)

The Neues Rathaus (‘New Town Hall’) is a grandiose, neo-gothic government building that architecturally dominates the north side of Munich’s Marienplatz. The nearly 100 meter (300 feet) long main facade on Marienplatz is richly ornamented in neo-gothic style and depicts the entire line of Wittelsbach’s house of Bavaria.

Quick facts

• Name: Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall)
• Location: Munich, Germany
• Opened: 1874
• Type of attraction: Architectural/Building
• Ticket price: Free/Access to tower from $5

The Glockenspiel in the Neues Rathaus tower balcony is also popular and an attraction on its own right. Since 1908, daily at 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m., figurines perform a play depicting stories from Munich’s history. At the top of the city hall’s 85-meter-high (255-foot) tower is an observation deck that can be accessed by an elevator and offers a splendid view of the city’s roofs and panorama, and you can also see Alps on a clear day.

The seat of the mayor’s office, the town council, and the headquarters of the city administration are all in the Neue Rathaus.

At almost 100 meters (300 feet) long, Neues Rathaus is richly ornamented in the neo-Gothic style and shows almost the entire line of the Bavarian Wittelsbach house.

The Glockenspiel is also world-renowned and worth seeing in the Tower Balcony of the New Town Hall. Since 1908, every day at 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m., figurines representing stories from Munich’s history twirl on two levels. (The show at 5:00 p.m. from November through February is omitted).

The Münchner Kindl (symbol of the city’s coat of arms) and the Angel of Peace, in addition to the well-known cooperative dancers, also appear in the nearly 12-minute-long spectacle.

There is an observation deck at the top of the 85-meter-high (255-foot) tower of the town hall, which can be accessed via an elevator and offers a magnificent view of the town’s rooftops, even as far as the Alps in good weather. The Ratskeller, a traditional Munich restaurant since 1867, is located within the generous and richly painted cellar vault of the Neues Rathaus.

Interesting facts about Neues Rathaus

Here are some interesting facts about this impressive landmark:

• Due to distinctive Neo-Gothic style, New Town Hall looks much older, although it was fully finished only on 1905.
• The Glockenspiel mechanical play lasts for full 12 minutes!
• The Glockenspiel and all the bells are solar powered.

Read more: Interesting facts about Neues Rathaus