Inscriptions of Munich (Center of the City)

Isartor

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The so-called Isartor (Isar Gate) is one of the three historical city gates of Munich having resisted all sorts of threats by wars, revolutions, and natural deterioration for several centuries. A modern plaque just indicates the gate's name and year of first written mentioning.

First Inscription

First Comment

The Isar Gate was built as a part of a second city wall becoming necessary because of the important urban expansion carried out by Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor, called the Bavarian, who lived from 1285 to 1347. Initially there were four or five major town gates (according to the authors), among which the Isartor. This gate is oriented towards the Isar river, which crosses the city of Munich. The date of first mentioning indicated on the gate seems to be the date of construction as well.

The other major town gates mostly mentioned are:

The Isartor is the only Munich town gate whose historic building stock has been entirely preserved.

Second Inscription

Second Comment

Although the romantic relationship between Karl Valentin (1882 – 1948) and Liesl Karlstadt (1892 – 1960) was rather complicated, their frequent collaboration on stage and in studio garanteed them great success. Their popularity has been unbroken in Bavaria up to now in spite of the modern evolution of cabaret and film. Obviously, outside of Bavaria there is a double problem, the one regarding Valentin's and Karlstadt's Bavarian and often Munich-specific humour and the other, their Bavarian language, both hindering appreciation and even mere comprehension beyond the Bavarian borders.

If many people are used to speak of Karl Valentin alone, it is an unjust treatment because Liesl Karlstadt's beneficial influence on Karl Valentin's work should not be underestimated. So it is normal that in Munich there is a single museum commemorating both artists. The museum is located in the Isartor.

If the word "Musäum" is written this way at the Isartor, it is a quotation of Karl Valentin's humorous spelling. In standard German, the word has to be spelled the same way as in English (but beginning with a capital letter as any German substantive does).

Bibliography

Internet

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Arrival by Public Transport

For the arrival in Munich, see Inscriptions of Munich.

If you like walking (and having a look at some Munich sights on the way), leave the Main Station (Hauptbahnhof) by its main exit (straight ahead from the rails) and cross the Bahnhofplatz (Station Square) unless you prefer taking the pedestrian subway that begins near the end of the Main Station's main hall. Take the Schützenstraße down to its end and then the pedestrian subway under the Karlsplatz. On the other side of the square, near the big round fountain, cross the Karlstor (Charles' Gate), walk along the whole pedestrian zone (Neuhauser Straße, then Kaufinger Straße, and finally Marienplatz). Continue straight ahead for the street called Im Tal and follow it up to its end, where you will see the Isartor.

If you do not like walking for some 2 km, take any S-Bahn from the Main Station in the direction of Ostbahnhof but alight at the Isartor station.

Indications concerning the arrival correspond to our personal knowledge or even experience, but we cannot assume any responsibility for their rightness. When you are reading this page, things may have changed in reality.

Hans-Rudolf Hower, 2014

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Last updated: April 4, 2016