Marienplatz in Munich

Marienplatz has been at the thick of things ever since the city was founded by Henry the Lion in 1158. It was once a salt and grain market, but is now a magnet for tourists who flock here to marvel at the Gothic facade of the town hall . The bells in the town hall tower peal at 11am (as well as noon and 5pm in the Summer) accompanied by a glockenspiel depicting a medieval dance and the wedding of Duke William V and Renata von Lothringen. The Mariensäule stands in the middle of the square.