“You have such a beautiful place here,” I told the young lady at the desk of our old town hotel in Munich, Germany.

“I know,” she replied, somehow managing to sound appreciative, without a trace of conceit. “We are the heart of Munich.”

Her enthusiasm served to heighten our expectations of our first day in Germany. If she was so unapologetically enamored with her home, then we could be too, my husband and I rationalized.

In the market and beer garden, Viktualienmarkt, sturdy chestnut trees provided the natural canopy for friends and family who had gathered to share food and drinks. Forget about the light rain that glazed the tabletops and chairs earlier that morning, these people were intent upon grabbing a brat, a pretzel, a plate of seafood, or a bowl of soup and a beer.

After strolling through the various booths featuring fragrant flowers, fresh produce, crafts and food, we snagged a spot in line for brats and a pretzel. We then grabbed a nearby table, one without a tablecloth, as those were designated for people who wanted service from one of the nearby vendors.

At 11 a.m. and at noon, the place to be was Marianplatz, a square devoted to Our Lady. Here, an impressive clock tower dominated the facade of the New Town Hall. Along with its presentation of a mechanical medieval show, the tower’s 43 bells chimed.

Over the clock tower’s two-story stage, various figures reenacted significant events in Munich’s history. In the upper tier, a revolving jousting tournament played out. Another elaborate story featured a wedding. On the tier below, figures danced in celebration of the end of a deadly plague. Each performance lasted for close to 15 minutes.

Not to be stingy with enjoying this novel attraction, my husband and I thought to call one of our three sons to share in the moment. But what time was it back home? Which one of our sons would be up at 6 a.m.? Our oldest, definitely. He was, and he graciously answered and shared in our amazement.

Churches, too, lend themselves to much of the charm of this part of Munich.

St. Peter’s Church, the oldest parish church, is often credited with defining Munich’s location, as it had been established by monks prior to the official founding of the city. Gold-laced altars, in addition to the jewel-covered skeleton of St. Munditia, are just some of the most striking features of this church.

Then there’s Frauenkirche, the Cathedral of Our Lady. Inside the vestibule beneath the chorus is a black footprint in the tile. The imprint is said to be, according to legend, that of the devil. The mark was created, again it is said, when the devil stepped into the yet unconsecrated church believing it had no windows. Upon stepping in further, he was able to see the windows and became angry.

Here, many royals are buried. And for Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor, the church is home to an enormous, elaborately-detailed bronze tomb.

Stepping into the old town’s markets, its squares, and its churches, my husband and I could easily embrace why this area is affectionately referred to as the heart of Munich.

(Note: Marjorie Appelman is an English, communications and journalism teacher at Mason County High School and co-founder of Tales from the Trip, which is on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. She can be reached at [email protected].)

https://maysville-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_St.jpg

A pedestrian-only shopping zone in Munich allows visitors to move around without worrying about traffic.
https://maysville-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_shopping.jpgA pedestrian-only shopping zone in Munich allows visitors to move around without worrying about traffic.

Sturdy chestnut trees provide a picturesque setting for those gathering at the Viktualienmarkt in Munich, Germany.
https://maysville-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_trees.jpgSturdy chestnut trees provide a picturesque setting for those gathering at the Viktualienmarkt in Munich, Germany.

The New Town Hall of Munich features the Rathaus-Glockenspiel, which provides a two-story stage for mechanical medieval reenactments accompanied by chimes at 11 a.m. and noon each day.
https://maysville-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_clocktower.jpgThe New Town Hall of Munich features the Rathaus-Glockenspiel, which provides a two-story stage for mechanical medieval reenactments accompanied by chimes at 11 a.m. and noon each day.

Figures on the maypole in Munich’s market square, Viktualienmarkt, represent the Bavarian people and their treasured activities.
https://maysville-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_maypole.jpgFigures on the maypole in Munich’s market square, Viktualienmarkt, represent the Bavarian people and their treasured activities.

The mushroom fountain creates a decorative destination outside the Frauenkirche, Munich’s cathedral of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising, pictured in the background.
https://maysville-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_mushrooms.jpgThe mushroom fountain creates a decorative destination outside the Frauenkirche, Munich’s cathedral of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising, pictured in the background.

Marjorie Appelman