Karlsplatz (Stachus): Munich's Gateway to the Old Town

Why the Stachus is so important for Munich

Few other places illustrate so clearly how Munich functions as a blend of historic old town and modern metropolis. One of the city's key central axes runs from the main train station, past Stachus, and through the pedestrian zone to Marienplatz. At the same time, the Sonnenstraße—part of the ring road encircling the old town—passes directly by the square.

Stachus is a major transport hub not only at street level; beneath the square, suburban trains (S-Bahn), the subway (U-Bahn), shopping arcades, and other connections all converge. When the Stachus complex opened in 1970, it was considered the largest underground structure in Europe. Two years later, the creation of the new pedestrian zone fundamentally transformed the square once again: since 1972, car traffic has come to a halt in front of the Karlstor gate.

The area has always been a hive of activity—a fact that has even left its mark on the local language. To this day, Bavarians use the phrase "Da geht's zu wie am Stachus" (It’s as busy as Stachus here) to describe a place teeming with activity.

👉 Stachus serves as the connecting link between the main train station and the old town: the pedestrian zone begins here at street level, while the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, and Stachus shopping arcades converge underground.

What you can experience at Stachus

Stachus makes a great starting point for a stroll through the Old Town. From the Karlstor gate, the route leads along Neuhauser Straße and Kaufingerstraße to Marienplatz. If you’re in the mood for shopping, you can dive into the Stachus Passagen beforehand—an underground shopping complex spanning two levels directly beneath the square.

But the square itself is also worth a pause. In summer, locals and visitors alike gather around the fountain, children run through the mist, and the Palace of Justice provides one of the classic Stachus photo opportunities.

In winter, the square undergoes a complete transformation: the "Münchner Eiszauber" (Munich Ice Magic) event regularly sees a large open-air ice rink set up here.

The area around Stachus and the pedestrian zone is also a central hub for Munich’s street carnival celebrations.

👉 At Stachus, you can start a stroll through the Old Town, go shopping, take a break by the fountain, and—in winter—go ice skating right in the city center.

The Stachus Fountain: A Dome of Water Between the Old Town and Traffic

The large fountain has been the defining feature of the square since 1972. It was designed by Bernhard Winkler, who was also involved in the design of Munich's new pedestrian zone.

Around 200 nozzles create the characteristic dome of water. The fountain is not merely a spectacular sight: the dome-like curtain of water was deliberately planned to mark the end of the pedestrian zone, shielding it both visually and acoustically from the traffic on Sonnenstraße.

On hot days in particular, the fountain becomes an integral part of the urban experience. The fine mist of water provides a cooling effect, while the spacious surrounding areas serve as a place for people to meet and linger.

👉 Opened in 1972, the Stachus Fountain features around 200 nozzles that create a water dome, shielding the pedestrian zone from the traffic on Sonnenstraße.

What you see opposite: the Palace of Justice, the Koenigshof, and the origin of Stachus.

Karlsplatz does not end at the fountain. If you look west from the Karlstor across Sonnenstraße, the other side of Stachus comes into view.

To the right, the imposing Palace of Justice with its large glass dome immediately catches the eye. Straight ahead stands the modern Koenigshof at Karlsplatz 25. To the left lies the former Kaufhof building at Karlsplatz 21–24.

This southwestern section of the square is particularly significant to the history of Stachus: it was once the site of the Stachus-Garten, an inn run by proprietor Mathias Eustachius Föderl. His nickname—"Eustachi" or "Stachus"—eventually became the name for the entire square.

Today, the wide Sonnenstraße visually separates the pedestrian zone from this western side. However, in terms of history and urban layout, it is an integral part of Karlsplatz.

👉 Stachus also encompasses the western side along Sonnenstraße—home to the Palace of Justice, the Koenigshof, and the former Kaufhof—where the eponymous Stachus-Garten was once located.

A city gate with history: the Karlstor

The Karlstor marks the transition from Stachus to the historic Old Town and is one of Munich's surviving city gates, alongside the Isartor and Sendlinger Tor. You can find out more about its history, architecture, and the famous faces featured in the archway on our dedicated Karlstor page.

Why is Karlsplatz actually called Stachus?

The square has officially borne the name Karlsplatz since the late 18th century. Starting in 1791, Elector Karl Theodor had the fortifications in front of the then-existing Neuhauser Tor (Neuhausen Gate) removed; the newly laid-out square was given its name in 1797.

However, the name "Karlsplatz" never really caught on among the people of Munich. They stuck with the name already in common use—"Stachus"—derived from the tavern that had previously stood on the southwest side of the square.

Today, this unofficial name is so firmly established that the transit stop is also named Karlsplatz (Stachus).

Here’s how to get to Karlsplatz (Stachus)

Stachus is particularly easy to reach by public transport. It is served by S-Bahn trains running along the main line, U-Bahn lines U4 and U5, and several tram lines. It is just one stop to the main train station, or a walk of about ten minutes.

From Stachus, you can then explore the entire Old Town on foot: the pedestrian zone leads through Karlstor and along Neuhauser Straße and Kaufingerstraße all the way to Marienplatz.

From City Gate to Metropolitan Square: The History of the Stachus

The history of the Stachus begins long before the existence of the modern-day Karlsplatz. In the Middle Ages, the important Salt Road ran westward from Munich through this area. Situated on this route was the Neuhauser Tor (Neuhauser Gate), which became the western entrance to the expanding city following the construction of the second city fortifications in the 14th century.

By the end of the 18th century, the city fortifications had lost their strategic purpose. Demolition of the bastion in front of the Neuhauser Tor began in 1791, and in 1797, the newly formed square was named Karlsplatz in honor of Elector Karl Theodor. However, this name never really caught on with the locals; they continued to call the square "Stachus"—after the *Stachus-Garten* tavern that once stood on its western side.

During the 19th and 20th centuries, the square evolved into a major transport hub for the growing metropolis. Trams—and later, cars—traversed the Stachus and passed through the Karlstor gate into Neuhauser Straße. A fundamental transformation occurred around the time of the 1972 Olympic Games: a large underground transport hub was built beneath the square, featuring S-Bahn and U-Bahn connections as well as shopping arcades, while Neuhauser Straße and Kaufingerstraße were converted into a pedestrian zone above ground.

It was also during this period that the Stachus acquired its current appearance. The large fountain was built in 1972 to serve as an urban design anchor for the new pedestrian zone. Since then, Karlsplatz has marked the transition point between the traffic of Sonnenstraße and the car-free Old Town.

👉 The Stachus offers a perfect illustration of Munich’s urban evolution: from a medieval city gate and a major metropolitan transport hub to the gateway to the pedestrian zone established in 1972.

FAQ about Karlsplatz (Stachus)

Are Karlsplatz and Stachus the same place?

Yes. Karlsplatz is the official name, but in Munich, the square is almost always called Stachus.

Why do locals call it Stachus?

The name comes from the "Stachus-Garten," a former tavern owned by innkeeper Mathias Eustachius Föderl. It was located where the Kaufhof department store at Stachus was later built.

What is there to do at Stachus?

You can take a break by the fountain, go shopping in the Stachus Passagen and the pedestrian zone, or walk from there through the Old Town to Marienplatz. In winter, the "Munich Ice Magic" (Münchner Eiszauber) event takes place there regularly.

What can you see opposite the Stachus fountain?

Across Sonnenstraße lie the Palace of Justice (Justizpalast), the Koenigshof, and the former Kaufhof building. This western side is also part of the Karlsplatz area.

What is special about the Stachus fountain?

The fountain was designed by Bernhard Winkler in 1972. Around 200 nozzles create a dome of water that visually and acoustically shields the pedestrian zone from the traffic on Sonnenstraße.

Which public transport lines go to Stachus?

Karlsplatz is served by the S-Bahn trains running along the main trunk line (Stammstrecke), the U4 and U5 subway lines, and several tram lines. Munich Central Station is just one stop away.