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Walking from the central railway station to the north via Luisenstraße, you will soon see the following monument on your right side.
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General view from the west |
Photos: Hans-Rudolf Hower, 2004 |
General view from the east |
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Ceiling |
Details of the Western Frontage
This is the side of Luisenstraße.
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Left frieze |
Central tympanum |
Right frieze |
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Note the marvelous cast-iron lamppost in the foreground. |
Looking through the right door |
Looking through one of the open passages of
the monument, |
Details of the Eastern Frontage
This is the side of Königsplatz.
[Photos to be completed.]
Comment
The 19th century was the period of monumental buildings in Munich. Having become a kingdom and having obtained large additional territories thanks to Napoleon I, Bavaria tried to transform the city of Munich to be a capital worthy of its rank.
Classicism had not only influenced German art and literature, but also architecture. After the darkness and mystery of German romanticism, a sober, noble, and imposing Antiquity, and especially Greece, had invaded the spirits of German artists, writers, and architects. The monument described here combines elements of Greek and Egyptian style.
This monument was built in 1854 - 1862. As for architecture and urbanism, it was designed to be city portal staying at the western end of the new district of Maxvorstadt, and especially of the new Königsplatz (i.e. "King’s Square"). It must be seen as an architectural junction between the two monumental museums standing on either side of the square.
The tympanon and the friezes of the western frontage contain scenes of the Greeks’ struggle for independence from Turkish domination.
The eastern frontage shows the homage to Otto von Bayern, son of Louis I and king of Greece, from 1832 to 1862. For more details concerning the political meaning of the monument, see the explications concerning its numerous inscriptions.
Note that this monument destinated to glorify Otto von Bayern, king of Greece, was not finished before 1962, i.e. the year in which Otto von Bayern resigned. Irony of history...
As the Greek monument offers an imposing background to the adjacent Königsplatz, this square was unfortunately used for demagogic mass parades during the Nazi period. Due to remaining resentments, the square, after being neglected for a long time after World War II, has still not really been rearranged in a satisfactory manner.
Literature
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Author / Title |
Notes |
Info / Purchase |
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German language. Detailed and clearly structured city guide, also suitable as a reference book. |
amazon.de/at or German library |
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Holidays in Munich? Excellent idea! But where to stay? |
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Whether you are looking for a room, an apartment, a hotel, a guest house,
or any other accommodation, |
Arrival by Public Transport
For the arrival in Munich, see Munich & Journeys.
From the central railway station (Hauptbahnhof), you can easily reach Königsplatz, walking to the north via Luisenstraße. You can also take the direct underground line to Königsplatz.
If you are near Karlsplatz (Stachus), there is a direct tram line to Karolinenplatz, which is very close to Königsplatz (via Brienner Straße). But you can have a walk instead, taking Barer Straße to the north, then Brienner Straße to the left.
Indications concerning public transport 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, 2004
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Last updated: November 26, 2019
