The epicentral heart and soul of the Altstadt, Marienplatz is a popular gathering spot and packs a lot of personality into a compact frame. It's anchored by the Mariensäule, built in 1638 to celebrate victory over Swedish forces during the Thirty Years' War. This is the busiest spot in all Munich, throngs of tourists swarming across its expanse from early morning till late at night. Many walking tours leave from here.
The real interest is in what surrounds it. Completely dominating the northern side of the square, the soot-blackened facade of the neo-Gothic Neues Rathaus (muenchen.travel; tower adult/child €7/3) is festooned with gargoyles and other statuary. To pinpoint Munich's landmarks without losing your breath, catch the lift up the 85m-tall tower. Unfortunately the "New Town Hall" is the next major building in Munich set for renovation, which could last years.
The Neues Rathaus is an obviously 19th-century creation, so what about its predecessor? You'll find the inconspicuous Altes Rathaus on the square's southeastern side – it's a post-WWII rebuild of a 1460 building that now houses a toy museum.
