TUM Institute for Lifelong Learning, Galileo, Walther-Von-Dyck Str. 12, 85748 Garching
Munich Foundation Festival
Munich Foundation Festival
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Marienplatz and its surroundings Munich
Free admission
To mark its birthday, the famous city of Munich transforms its city centre into a spectacular two-day street festival, drawing in hundreds of locals and visitors alike.
Celebrating the 868th anniversary of its foundation this year, the Munich Foundation Festival (Münchner Stadtgründungsfest) offers a range of attractions, including live concerts, street performances, a pop-up handicraft market and a Ferris wheel.
Munich celebrates its birthday with the City Foundation Festival
The foundation of Munich dates all the way to the 8th century, when a group of Benedictine monks came together to establish a small settlement on the Petersberg Hill. The monastic settlement was known as “Ze den München” (by the monks).
However, it was thanks to the Duke of Saxony and Bavaria, Henry the Lion, that the settlement became a marketplace and then later a city. In order to collect tolls, Henry burnt down the fledgling city's only wooden bridge over the Isar River and built his own bridge by the monks’ settlement München. A marketplace was then set up in the vicinity, which is today known as Marienplatz.
Image credit: Nagy / Presseamt München
After nearly two years of arguing, Emperor Frederick Barbarossa finally sanctioned the move of the bridge and the establishment of the marketplace. This is why the day of his decision, June 14, 1158, is seen as the date Munich was officially founded.
Enjoy live music and street performances in Munich during the Foundation Festival
As more than half the city will be out and about enjoying the celebrations, take your time to relish in live music performances by Marienplatz, travel back in time with the historic Ferris wheel from 1925 on Odeonsplatz, or enjoy traditional arts and crafts at the crafts village in the old town.
This year's festival follows the spirit of Ein Fest der Viertel, which translates to "A festival of neighbourhoods". Tourists and newcomers to Munich are invited to explore every corner of the beautiful, historic city in southern Germany. The diverse neighbourhoods are ready to welcome you and present themselves in all their facets.
For more information on this free festival, visit Munich's tourist information website.
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