The Stachus - it's almost impossible to visit Munich or move through the city centre without passing this semi-circular open square at some point. Just a few minutes walk from the main train station on the way to the city center, it is unavoidable. That's why numerous subway, tram and bus lines meet here.
The name
Karlsplatz or Stachus, what is it really called? In the 18th century, even before the neo-baroque Stachus-Rondell was built, there was an inn at the corner of today's square, where a certain Mathias Eustachius Föderl worked as a landlord. This innkeeper was so popular that the inn was named after him "Stachus" and gradually this name also became established as a designation for the square where the inn was located.
At the end of the 17th century, the official name was changed to Karlsplatz after the Bavarian Elector Karl Theodor. However, since the people of Munich had little for the Elector, "Stachus" remains the "true" name for many Munich residents to this day. Even in the announcements in public transport both names are mentioned until today.
Location
Not only because the Stachus is a junction for numerous means of public transport, it is always full of people. Directly behind the gate is the pedestrian zone with its seemingly endless shopping opportunities along Neuhauser Straße and Kaufingerstraße and with plenty of other Munich sights.
But some people also linger on the Stachus to refresh themselves with an ice cream at the big fountain in the middle of the square in summer or to warm up with a cup of mulled wine in winter. Underground, too, the newly renovated, very clean and bright Stachus Passagen have created interesting shopping and dining opportunities for Munich residents and visitors to their city.
