Contemplate this. The Burgfriedenssäule 13 is not just a stone column. It’s a boundary marker with a rich story. We are standing near the Monopteros in the Englischer Garten. About 100 meters southwest of it, to be exact. Here, the Burgfriedenssäule 13 stands on its original site.
Let’s delve into the history of these Burgfriedenssäulen. In Germany, they marked the limits of a town’s jurisdiction. Think of them as the “do not cross” lines of medieval Munich. The spatial scope of a castle trench was determined by these stones.
The Burgfrieden was an area outside the city walls. Yet, it remained under Munich’s legal authority. In 1460, disputes arose between Munich and the Wolfratshausen court. This concerned jurisdiction over the Gasteig area. As a result, the Burgfrieden was re-measured.
On October 24, 1460, Dukes Johann IV and Sigmund documented the Burgfrieden. This happened in the oldest known Burgfrieden letter. Boundary columns then marked these limits. Munich possessed no land, castles, or estates outside this Burgfrieden.
Initially, there were 25 Burgfriedenssäulen. Matthias Paur recorded this in a 1728 plan. He also noted three boundary stones. Today, only five Burgfriedenssäulen remain. Sadly, most are heavily weathered. The historical inscriptions are mostly illegible. Except for Burgfriedenssäule 13 and 22.
These stone columns stand between 2.40 and 3.00 meters tall. The Munich coat of arms faces the city. It depicts a monk. The Bavarian coat of arms is on the back. It shows lozenges or diamonds.
This Burgfriedenssäule 13 bears the inscription “1724 / 13”. The digit “3” was overwritten with a “2”. The reason for this change remains a mystery. It happened sometime later.
In 1724, adjustments to the Burgfrieden occurred. Part of the Hirschau became a hunting ground for the Elector. In return, Munich gained land near the Flaucher and Dreimühlenbach. Lehel also fully fell under the city’s jurisdiction.
The Burgfrieden also defined Munich’s expansion after 1800. As the city walls were razed, new suburbs emerged. These included St.-Anna-Vorstadt, Isarvorstadt and Ludwigsvorstadt. The term “Burgfrieden” persisted into the late 19th century. This was after Munich’s fortification ended. Also after Munich became an independent municipality in 1818.
Around the mid-19th century, the Burgfrieden expanded again. In 1846, it included Theresienhöhe, Marsfeld, and the northern part of the English Garden. By 1854, Munich annexed surrounding communities. Even in 1899, Thalkirchen’s incorporation was termed an “incorporation into the Burgfrieden.”
So, as you stand before Burgfriedenssäule 13, remember its role. It was a silent witness to Munich’s evolving boundaries. It marked legal limits and the city’s growth. This column connects us to centuries of Munich’s history.