“Ever wonder about the oldest parts of Munich?” I ask you. Today, we’re exploring Moosach. It is Munich’s 10th district. This northwestern part of the city holds secrets dating back millennia.
Moosach has a history stretching back 4000 years. Imagine people settling here during the Stone Age. The first written record of Moosach appeared in 807. St. Martin’s church was built before 1315. It became a focal point for the growing community. Around 1700, Munich’s oldest tree, the Röth lime tree, was planted.
In 1717, Elector Max Emanuel established the Fasanerie. It began as a forester’s lodge. Pheasants were raised here. Today, it is a popular beer garden. It offers 1500 seats in the self-service area and 200 in the serviced area. In the 1960s, the Free State of Bavaria transformed the area into a park.
Nederling became part of Moosach in 1818. This happened during community formation. The Moosach gasworks began construction in 1906. It was located on Dachauer Strasse. Moosach was an independent municipality until 1913. Then, it joined Neuhausen-Moosach as the 28th district. Since 1996, Moosach has essentially regained its former boundaries.
Pelkovenstrasse played a crucial role in Moosach’s development. It served as a vital salt and trade route. General Eisenhower even held military parades here in 1945 and 1946. He stayed overnight at the Netzervilla.
During World War II, the German Nazis established a forced labor camp in Moosach. Lion Feuchtwanger described this camp in his book “The Oppermanns”. Published in 1934, it was one of the earliest accounts of concentration camps.
After World War II, Moosach saw significant urban development. Single-family homes and smaller apartment buildings arose. This created a district with lower residential density compared to inner-city areas. Today, increased development is leading to higher population density.
Pelkovenstrasse features Moosach’s oldest church. Next to it stands the former rectory. The parish of St. Martin owns the church. The rectory is now rented. A stele honors Pope Benedict XVI. He served his first post as a priest in St. Martin in 1951. He was then known as Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger. He lived in the parsonage.
The Lutheran parish of Munich Heilig-Geist cares for many in Moosach. They gather in three churches including the Church of the Holy Spirit.
The Alte Wirt is one of Munich’s oldest inns. It marks the expansion of the town in the 19th century. It stands at the corner of Dachauer Strasse. Gasthaus Spiegl is at the other end of old Moosach. It sits at the corner of Feldmochinger Strasse.
In 1972, the Olympic Press City was built for the Olympic Games. It is located west of Landshuter Allee. The high-rise at Riesstrasse 82 is Munich’s twelfth tallest building. It reaches 83 meters. From 2001 to 2004, the Uptown Munich high-rise complex was erected. It is the city’s second tallest building at 146 meters.
Moosach’s social structure is balanced today. It welcomes middle-class members. Traditionally, small tradesmen, workers, and employees lived here. Now, employees and civil servants dominate. Many families with children reside here.
Moosach offers diverse job opportunities. These are mainly in manufacturing. Automotive, mechanical engineering, textiles, clothing, and chemicals are represented. Trade is concentrated at “Moosacher Stachus”. This area includes Dachauerstrasse and Pelkovenstrasse. The Olympia Shopping Centre and Mona local supply centre also contribute.
Moosach has excellent transport links. The Munich-Regensburg railway line serves the Munich-Moosach station. Tram lines 20 and N20 connect Moosach to the city centre since 1930. Underground lines U1 and U3 connect at Olympia-Einkaufszentrum. In 2010, the U3 line extended to Moosacher Bahnhof.
In Moosach, you will find the Kultur- und Bürgerhaus Pelkovenschlössl. It is a central venue for educational and cultural events.
Whether it’s the oldest church or the second tallest building in Munich, Moosach combines tradition with modernity. A blend of old and new defines this vibrant district. Take a moment to appreciate how Moosach’s rich past shapes its dynamic present.