Viktualienmarkt

The Viktualienmarkt developed from an original farmers’ market to a popular market for gourmets. The selection, variety and exclusiveness of the products offered contribute to the market’s special flair. On an area covering 22,000m², 140 stalls and shops offer flowers, exotic fruit, game, poultry, spices, cheese, fish, juices etc. Nowhere else in Munich can you find a greater variety of fresh food and delicacies. All stalls and shops are open during the official opening hours (Monday to Saturday until 8 p.m.). There are special opening hours for flower shops, bakeries and restaurants. For further information regarding the individual opening hours please click here.

History
When today’s Marienplatz (the former Schrannenplatz) as a market for cereals and other agricultural products had become too small, Viktualienmarkt as its official successor evolved where it is still situated today due to a “decree issued by King Maximilian I on 2. May, 1807”. The King ordered that those parts of the market between Heiliggeist Church and Frauenstraße should be relocated and told the municipal authorities to demolish the buildings of the charitable Heiliggeist hospice which had been acquired by the city. Thus the “green market” had its own place, which was also named “market place” for some time. It was only later that the word “Viktualien” (victuals), which is a Latin word for food, was used. From 1823 to 1829 the central market already had to be enlarged significantly. In 1885 the ancient Heiliggeist infirmary was demolished and the Heiliggeist Church was extended to the west. Thus a new image was created for both the market and the city. In 1952 the precursor of today’s Großmarkthalle, the Schrannenhalle, was built close to the ancient city wall at the end of Blumenstraße. It burned down in 1932 and was reopened in 2005. In 1855 the fish market was moved to Westenriederstraße. In the course of time many additions were made to the market, as for example a butchers’ hall, a tripe hall, pavilions for bakeries, fruit vendors and a fish hall. The butchers’ shops at the foot of Petersbergl (Peter’s hill, site of St. Peter’s Church), the stalls for poultry and venison and the stands of the flower vendors expanded even further. During World War II this square with its cosy atmosphere was severely damaged. There was even talk of closing down the market in order to erect multi-story buildings on this important site. Instead, the municipal authorities revitalised Viktualienmarkt with considerable financial support, and the citizens of Munich enriched it with memorial fountains for the folk singers and comedians Karl Valentin, Weiß Ferdl and Liesl Karlstadt. Later, memorial fountains for the folk singers and comedians Ida Schumacher, Elise Aulinger and Roider Jackl were added. Over the years Viktualienmarkt has evolved from a farmers’ market to a popular market for gourmets. The selection, variety and exclusiveness of the products offered contribute to the market’s special flair. 140 stalls and shops offer flowers and plants, fruit, vegetables, exotic fruit, venison and poultry, eggs, butter, honey, fish, meat and sausages on an area covering 22,000m².

The market also hosts a number of traditional and folkloric events such as weighing celebrities, brewers’ day, gardeners’ day, opening of the asparagus season, summer festival, dance of the market women on Shrove Tuesday, etc. Hence the Viktualienmarkt, which has been a pedestrian zone since November 6, 1975 is also a meeting point and a place to chill.

City Map
You can find us here

Public transport (MVV)
All S-Bahn lines to Marienplatz
U3 and U6 to Marienplatz
Bus 52 to Viktualienmarkt
For MVV timetable information

Parking facilities
There are no parking lots available at Viktualienmarkt. Finding a parking lot in the vicinity is quite difficult. The underground car park of Schrannenhalle which is directly next to Viktualienmarkt offers a small number of parking lots. (open 24 hours, price: €2.5 per hour, access via Prälat-Zistl-Straße)

With the kind assistance of Munich’s College of Translation Studies (Fremdspracheninstitut der Landeshauptstadt München)