Munich
The Karlstor is the old western gate of Munich's historic centre. It stands on Karlsplatz, a square that everyone in town calls Stachus.
A gate seven centuries old
The gate is first mentioned in 1302. It was part of the second ring of walls, built between 1285 and 1347.
In 1861 and 1862 the architect Arnold Zenetti redesigned it in Gothic Revival style. Between 1899 and 1902 Gabriel von Seidl built the semicircular building that closes off the square.
What to look at from outside
Look at the two round towers on the sides: they are the oldest part. Under the central arch there are four small carved heads.
They show four popular Munich characters who lived in the 1700s and 1800s. One was a folk singer, another a horse dealer.
The busiest square
Karlsplatz is one of the most important junctions in the city. Trains, the underground, trams and the pedestrian zone all meet here.
Since 1970 a large centre on several levels has stretched under the square. It holds a station and lots of shops.
When a place is packed with people, Bavarians have a saying for it. It names this very square.
The name of the square
The official name is Karlsplatz, but hardly anyone uses it. Everyone says Stachus, a name that comes from an old inn with a garden. It stood on the corner across the big road.
