Viktualienmarkt
Munich
The Viktualienmarkt is the large open-air market in the centre of Munich. It lies between the Church of the Holy Spirit and Frauenstraße.
From farmers' market to everyone's market
On 2 May 1807 King Maximilian I Joseph ordered part of the old city market to move here. Between 1823 and 1829 it was already enlarged.
Today the market covers almost two hectares, a little less than three football pitches.
What to look at
Today more than a hundred traders sell fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, cheese, bread and spices. There are also flowers, honey and tea.
The Maibaum, the maypole, is the market's meeting point. The first one was put up on 4 May 1962, and it is renewed from time to time.
The six fountains
The fountains don't honour kings or princes, but popular actors and singers. The first three were the idea of Gustl Feldmeier, a cloth merchant.
They show Karl Valentin, Liesl Karlstadt, Weiß Ferdl, Ida Schumacher, Elise Aulinger and Roider Jackl. Valentin and Liesl Karlstadt often performed together.
Ida Schumacher is shown as her most famous chatterbox character, waiting for the latest gossip. Roider Jackl sings with his guitar in his hand.
