Here at the Carolinen-Palais, history whispers from every corner. This is a place where Munich’s story unfolds. It stands as a testament to Munich’s evolution.
The Karolinenplatz itself is not really a square. It was created between 1809 and 1812. The location was on the route from the Residenz Palace to the Nymphenburg Palace. It became the heart of Maxvorstadt. Maximilian I instigated the development of the area. He named it after himself.
Karl von Fischer designed the square. He was a renowned German architect. He also designed Munich’s National Theatre. It is believed that Fischer modeled the star-shaped Karolinenplatz after the Place de l’Étoile in Paris. That is the site of the Arc de Triomphe.
The most notable feature of the Karolinenplatz is the tall monument. It sits in its center. This obelisk was designed by Leo von Klenze. He was court architect to King Ludwig I. The architect was known for his love of Greek Revival design. He also created the Propyläen and the Ruhmeshalle in Munich.
The obelisk was erected in 1833. It honors the more than thirty thousand Bavarian soldiers. They gave their lives in Napoleon’s 1812 campaign against Russia. Designed by Leo von Klenze, it stands 29 meters high. It consists of a number of metal plates. They were made from melted down weapons captured from the Turkish army during the Battle of Navarino.
King Max I Joseph wanted to enlarge Munich in 1806. The city had become too small for its 40,000 residents. He named the new district Maxvorstadt after himself. In 1809, he made Karolinenplatz the hub of the new quarter. He gave it the name of his wife, Karoline.
Karl von Fischer envisaged three interruptions of Brienner Strasse. These were Wittelsbacher Platz, Karolinenplatz and Königsplatz. The king entrusted him with the realization of the new square. He had already designed the English Garden.
From 1930 to 1945, the “Brown House” was located near Karolinenplatz. It was the Munich party headquarters of the National Socialist Party NSDAP.
The obelisk is covered with bronze plates. They were cast from conquered French, Russian and Austrian cannons.
There are inscriptions on the four sides at the bottom of the obelisk. They read: “Thirty thousand Bavarians who died in the Russian war.” Another says: “They also died for the liberation of the Motherland”. A further inscription states: “Built by Ludwig I king of Bavaria”. The last one says: “Completed October 18, 1833”.
Around 1800, Munich had become a little crowded for its 40,000 inhabitants. Crown Prince Max I Joseph decided to expand the city. He soon became king. He named the newly founded part of the city after himself: Maxvorstadt. The hub of the quarter was named after his wife, Princess Karoline von Baden.
Between 1930 and 1945, the administrative buildings of the Nazi Party were located between Karolinenplatz and Königsplatz. The party was headquartered at the “Brown House”.