The Viktualienmarkt in the heart of Munich

A Place To Fall In Love With

The Viktualienmarkt, located in the heart of Munich’s historic city center, was originally a farmers’ and herbal market. Today, it is a beloved destination for food enthusiasts and visitors alike, offering a wide range of products from traditional Bavarian goods to exotic fruits. The market was originally situated in Munich’s Marienplatz until the early 19th century and has evolved from a small market into the vibrant Viktualienmarkt we know today. Initially, the square was simply referred to as Marktplatz, and it was later named Viktualienmarkt, derived from the late Latin word “Viktualien,” meaning food. It wasn’t until 1890 that the Viktualienmarkt reached its current size, which included additions like fruit sales pavilions and a North Sea fishing hall.

In addition to its many stalls, the Viktualienmarkt features fountains adorned with figures representing local icons, including folk singers and comedians such as Karl Valentin, Weiß Ferdl, and Liesl Karlstadt, as well as Ida Schumacher, Elise Aulinger, and Roider Jackl. Every first Friday in August, the market hosts a fountain festival where the fountains are beautifully decorated, and performances by musicians, artists, and actors take place.

The maypole is a traditional symbol of every Bavarian village, and in 1962, former Munich mayor Albert Bayerle expressed the desire for Munich to have its own maypole. The Munich breweries then erected the first maypole at the Viktualienmarkt. The figures attached to the maypole depict various aspects of Munich life, including a brewery team, Oktoberfest, the Schäffler dance, musicians and dancing couples, a market woman and beer bar, Munich city flags, and the patron saints of brewers, St. Boniface and St. Florian.