Here, amidst these weathered stones, stands a fragment of Munich’s past the Ruins of the city wall. A silent witness to centuries of growth, conflict and change. The story of the Ruins of the city wall is the story of Munich itself.
Back in 1156, Henry the Lion, a powerful duke, needed money. He knew the salt trade was lucrative. So he burned the existing toll bridge at Oberföhring. He then built his own rerouting the trade through Munich. Henry ordered a stone wall built around the fledgling city for protection. This first wall completed in 1175 was small. Its center was the Marktplatz today Marienplatz.
Munich prospered because of the salt trade and grew beyond the wall. By 1330, a second city wall became necessary. This new brick wall was large enough for five centuries of growth. It featured eight gates and tall watchtowers. A moat fed by Isar tributaries surrounded it.
The Thirty Years’ War began in 1618. Maximilian I ordered bastions, ramparts and ditches built outside the wall. This strengthened the city’s defenses. The project employed 40000 people for 13 years.
By the late 18th century, the Ruins of the city wall were outdated. They were useless against modern warfare. They also hindered urban development. Elector Karl Theodor declared Munich should not be a fortress. Reconstruction began and over time the wall was leveled.
Though most of the old city wall was destroyed remnants remain. You can track its path and visit three remaining gates. Use your imagination to fill in the missing pieces. Start at Isartor the city’s most important entrance in its day. Here the salt trade flowed into Munich.
Follow Thomas-Wimmer-Ring to track the wall’s course northward. This road traces the boundaries of Maximilian’s 17th-century fortifications. Street signs mark where tall towers once stood.
Jungfernturmstrasse leads to a preserved section of the second wall. This section includes pathways, bricked-up door frames and lookout holes. The Jungfern Tower was legendary. Some tales say a likeness of the Virgin Mary appeared within the tower. Others say criminals were forced to kiss the tower before their death.
Continue towards Karlstor at Karlsplatz also known as Stachus. Hundreds pass through this gate unaware of its history. The fruit stand evokes images of women washing clothes in the moat that once flowed here.
Follow Sonnenstrasse to Sendlinger Tor. This gate was completed in 1318 and modified over centuries. Originally three small arches, it was converted into a single large arch for traffic.
The Ruins of the city wall, though fragmented, whisper tales of Munich’s resilience. They speak of trade, war, and the constant push for progress. Stand here a moment. Let the stones tell their story. Remember the lives shaped within these now vanished walls.