Two fountains grace Rotkreuzplatz. One a modern marvel the other a poignant reminder of the past. Rotkreuzplatz is the heart of Munich’s Neuhausen district. It was once known as Neuhauser Stachus. This name still fits. Cafes restaurants and bars abound. It remains a popular meeting place. Nearby stands the Rotkreuz Hospital the origin of the square’s name.
The Rotkreuzplatz boasts a weekly market. Locals and tourists alike enjoy it. The most striking building is the Rotkreuz nurses’ home. Its height makes it stand out. It’s a testament to the area’s history. The sisters’ home was built starting in 1887 by the Bavarian Women’s Association of the Red Cross. It opened on May 24 1892.
But Rotkreuzplatz’s story is more than just buildings. It’s a story of transformation. The square grew from a crossroads. The most important road was the Fürstenweg. This connected the Residenz with Nymphenburg Palace. Not everyone could use it. A parallel road was created for carts. This was the Neuhauser Fahrweg. It’s now Blutenburgstraße. Until 1871 Neuhausen belonged to Sendling parish. A Kirchweg led to the Sendling church. It’s now Donnersbergerstraße.
In the early 19th century Neuhausen was small. It had only about 30 properties. It lay north of the square along today’s Winthirstraße. Today Wendl-Dietrich-Straße Schulstraße and Leonrodstraße meet at the square. World War II devastated the area. Almost all buildings were destroyed. The bombing destroyed a hunting lodge. It also destroyed the neo-Romanesque Winthirapotheke. One post-war temporary building remains. That is the Zum Jagdschlöffl restaurant. Another temporary building was the Forster hardware store. It existed until 2008. It was replaced by a multi-story building.
Yet Rotkreuzplatz endured. It’s a testament to the resilience of Munich. The square became an important transport hub. It was well-served by tram lines. Today U-Bahn lines U1 and U7 serve it. So do tram line 12 and metro buses 53 62 and 63. Night line N43/N44 also serves it. The square hosts a weekly farmers market. There is also an annual Solidarity Festival. Since 2009 a water bird festival has taken place there every two years. Rotkreuzplatz. It’s more than a square. It’s a living breathing part of Munich’s history. It’s a place where the past and present intertwine. It’s a place to relax and enjoy the vibrant heart of Neuhausen.