The Viktualienmarkt – Munich’s attitude to life

Stand of a delicatessen at the Viktualienmarkt in Munich.

<link http: www.flickr.com photos eldersign _blank von bei>The uniqueness of Munich is the combination of big city life with idyll and tradition. One of the best examples for this special combination is the Viktualienmarkt in Munich.

It is the perfect place for a small meal with Bavarian and International dishes, for relaxing in the shadow of huge chestnut trees or for buying a nice souvenir for the loved ones at home. If you visit our beautiful city, you shouldn`t miss this lively market atmosphere.

More than 150 merchants spoil locals and guests from all over the world with a variety of culinary specialties on two hectares total area. You can find exquisite and uncommon cheese varieties, a lot of delicatessen, fresh fish, various meats and sausages, countless specialty honey, international wines, flowers in all colors, and many further highlights at the market stands. As you can see – here you will find everything what your heart desires.

The history of the Viktualienmarkt in Munich – From the farmers’ market at the Marienplatz to the shopping paradise for gourmets

The Viktualienmarkt in Munich can look back on a 200 year old history and has become to one of Munich’s indisputable landmarks. The first “Standl” (market stands) emerged in 1807 on the famous <link www.platzl.de/blog/hotel-munich/2011/01/25/sightseeing-munich-marienplatz-marys-square/ _self>Marienplatz</link>. In those days, it was only a trading center for agricultural products and cereals. With the high number of visitors the number of merchants also increased. As a result the <link www.platzl.de/blog/hotel-munich/2011/01/25/sightseeing-munich-marienplatz-marys-square/ _self>Marienplatz</link> became too small for all the merchants and visitors and so King Max I. Joseph decided to relocate the market place on the area in front of the Heilig-Geist Church.

During the Second World War the Viktualienmarkt was almost completely destroyed. This was followed by a lengthy process of rebuilding and the character of the Viktualienmarkt changed fundamentally. The city built new permanent market stalls and the market was divided into seven different areas which depend on the offered goods. And finally, the so called “green market” got its present name “Viktualienmarkt” which comes from the Latin “victus” and means “food” and “stocks”.

Platzl Hotel Munich Insider Tip – Viktualienmarkt Munich

<link www.flickr.com/photos/mitko/4725867340/ _blank - "Viktualienmarkt / Виктуалиенмаркт von mitko_denev bei Flickr"></link> What you shouldn´t miss is a visit to the beer garden of the Viktualienmarkt with its changing beer brand. In the “Biergarten am Viktualienmarkt “the beer of all Munich breweries is served. Here you can not only enjoy the best beers of the city in the heart of Munich, also this beer garden has a very different additional appeal: probably in no other beer garden of the world you have so many culinary choices! If you don´t like the “Bavarian Brotzeit”  you can also buy tempting delicatessen, Mediterranean specialties or a delicious fish dish from the surrounding market stands and eat your food in the beer garden while enjoying your beer. By the way, the Bavarian beer garden Ordinance allows you to bring your own food.

Sights at the Viktualienmarkt in Munich

Besides the six memorial Fountains that remind Munich folk singers and actors and are spread all over the Viktualienmarkt there are also four major sights in the surrounding area:

  • The Marienplatz (Mary’s Square)
  • Heilig-Geist Church
  • Alter Peter
  • The Old Town Hall

Culinarytips

<link www.flickr.com/photos/franck-chilli/4090978632/ _blank - "Phot.Munich.Market.Viktualien.100923.3806.Fl von frankartculinary bei Flickr"></link>Potato lovers will especially enjoy “Uwe´s Kartoffelstandl” because here you will be offered over 40 different varieties of potatoes!

Exquisite fruits and vegetables from pure organic farming can be found at the “Trübenecker-Standl”

At “Exotenmüller “the name is program! Unusual fruits and vegetables wherever you may look.

In “Freisingers Feinkost Stand”, one of the oldest stalls of the Viktualienmarkt, you can get Mediterranean food and pickled cucumbers.

In “Fisch Witte” you will be spoiled by Witte family with fresh specialties from all seven oceans of the world.

And “Bäcker Liesl”, who is with her age of over 80 years the oldest Merchant of the Viktualienmarkt, will delight your palate with delicious baked goods.

Events at the Viktualienmarkt in Munich

  • Dance of the market women on Shrove Tuesday
  • The summer festival (always late July / early August)

Directions

You can reach the Viktualienmarkt by all suburban-trains as well as the underground lines U3 and U6 of Munich. From the station “Marienplatz” the Viktualienmarkt, which is only 150 meters away, can be reached in two minutes by feet. Also a direct connection with the bus 152 is possible. In this case you get off the bus and are in the middle of the action.

Guests of the <link www.platzl.de/no_cache/en/platzl-hotel-in-munich.html _self>Platzl Hotel Munich</link> can reach the Viktualienmarkt in less than five minutes by feet.