Königsplatz "King's Square" in Munich
The Königsplatz ("King's Square) is one of my favorite squares in Munich. It was modeled after the Acropolis in Athens and is the most beautiful classic square in Munich. It is a sign for the family ties of King Otto from Greece and the Wittelsbacher family from Bavaria and was built by King Ludwig I. and his architect Leo van Klenze.
In middle European Germany you can experience the Mediterranean feeling of an antique Greek city. For me, the atmosphere on the King's Square always implies (especially on hot summer days) vacation, sun, fun and even beach. Even though we're far from any ocean, it still feels like I could go there in an instant.
Apart from the wide and spacious square which is an attraction itself, the Königsplatz hosts 3 mayor sights:
Propyläen, Glyptothek and National Collection of Antiques.
Coming from West on Brienner Street, one of the first boulevards in Munich, you will enter the Königsplatz through the Doric Propyläen (see also picture below).
They have been built by Leo von Klenze starting in 1817 and are an exact copy of the famous ones Propyläen in Athens.
Pedestrians can enter them and admire the solid temple-like columns as well as the richly decorated ceiling. The Brienner Street
circles the Propyläen on both sides, so be careful when passing.
The Ionic Glyptothek is the most renowned museum for Greek and Roman sculptures in Europe. A friend of mine who lives in Madrid and is an art historian would visit Munich once a year, exclusively to spend the whole weekend in the Glyptothek studying the ancient sculptures. You probably aren't as historically interested as she is, but the Glyptothek is definitely worth to spend half a day visiting.
Facing the Glyptothek lays the National Collection of Antiques, built after the model of a Corinth Temple. It is one
of the
biggest collections of antiques in Germany.
They exhibit vases, bronzes, and other artifacts of Greek and Roman life. Frequent temporary exhibitions enhance the
museums permanent exhibition, like the one about Troja at the time when I took the picture with the Trojan horse
in front of the museum.
There are two more attractions at the Königsplatz hidden in the underground: the Underground Station of the U2-Line at
Königsplatz is a beautiful station decorated with statues and other artifacts from the Glyptothek and the National
Collection of Antiques.
Even if you don't travel by public transport, don't miss to go down and admire the station.
Inside the station on the mezzanine floor is located another museum: the "Gallery in the Lenbachhaus" an art gallery. After building the underground station, this unused space was left over and converted in 1994 into an exhibition hall. The walls were replaced by big windows facing the escalators to the station, which is definitely an extravagant idea. Now every underground traveler can have a glimpse into the art gallery.
During World War II, the then named "Königlicher Platz" (Royal Square) was used as headquarter of the NSDAP. After the war, the heavily destroyed square was restored to its original condition. The city of Munich is currently designing a "historical path" to remind those horrible times.
