Max Joseph Square (Max-Joseph-Platz) is a large and visited square located in the Old Town of Munich on the south side of the Munich Residence.
The square Max-Joseph Platz, was created in the early 19th century, when in 1802, was demolished Franciscan monastery, to make room for the construction of the National theatre.
The square is named in honor of the representative of the dynasty of Wittelsbach king of Bavaria Maximilian I Joseph.
Today, the area of max Joseph is one of the most visited areas in Munich.
From the square in different directions diverge important streets of the city, including shopping routes and around the area concentrated the important sights of Munich, and also historical buildings in which, including restaurants and shops.
Directly beneath the square is an underground car Park with over 400 Parking spaces.
Every year, in the summer, come the Munich Opera festival "Opera for all", when many Opera enthusiasts get together on Max-Joseph-Platz the and on the big stage to show a live broadcast of the Opera.
In the middle, stands a monument to king Maximilian I Joseph of the Bavarian (König Maximilian I Joseph von Bayern Denkmal), mounted on a high pedestal.
The monument was erected in 1835. Maximilian I Joseph is depicted enthroned and with a raised right hand.
The monument to Maximilian I, the Eastern side of the square, there are two theatres, which form the basic image of the area.
National theater (Nationaltheater) is an Opera theatre, the main appearance which form a wide staircase, a portico with eight Corinthian columns and a triangular pediment duplex with statues and paintings, which together resemble a Greek temple.
It is from this theatre and the beginning of its history, the area of max Joseph.
The construction of the theater began in 1811 by order of king Maximilian I. the Theatre was opened in 1818.
In 1823 the theatre was destroyed by fire. In 1825 was rebuilt by Leo von Klenze, who added to its design the Gothic revival elements. This building was destroyed during the Second world war.
New - the present theatre was built in 1963, preserving the old elements, though in a more new and enlarged version.
The architectural interest in the interior of the National theatre in Munich are the Royal hall, stairs and lobby. The theatre has a glamorous interior design, which harmoniously combines red, Golden and ivory.
The walls of the theatre are concerts, performances, and tours. Read more about National theatre Munich...
The so-called "New" theatre residence (Residenz Theatre) adjacent to the Northern part of the National theatre, and is less catchy compared to the Grand facade of the Opera house.
This theater is a historic court theatre and was known as Coville theater (Cuvillies-Theatre) theatre or old residence (Old Residence / Altes Residenztheater).
The theater was built in close proximity to Munich residence 1751-1753 years in the Rococo style and was originally intended exclusively for the Palace.
Since the theatre had a small size, it is near it was built the national theatre.
During the Second world war the building was destroyed. In its place, in the years 1948-1951, was erected the so-called "New theatre residence", which today is still in its previous location. But still, the old theatre, was moved to a wing of the Munich residence, which was reconstructed in the 1950s and reopened in 1958 under the name "Cuvillies Theatre".
Theatre address: Max-Joseph-Platz, 1. The website of the theatre: residenztheater.
Photos of the new theater of the residence (left) and National theatre (right)
The North side of the Max-Joseph-Platz marks the wing of the Munich residence.
This (southern) wing of the adjacent buildings is an integral part of the residence called "king's chambers" (Königsbau / Konigsbau).
The Royal quarters were built in the times of Ludwig I (between 1825 and 1835) in the style of the Palazzo Petti, architect Leo von Klenze.
Within the walls of this part of the residence there were numerous suites, including the apartment of Ludwig I and a winter garden.
The very same Munich residence (Münchner Residenz) is a historic residence of the Dukes, electors and kings of Bavaria, the largest inner-city Palace in Germany.
Today Munich is one of the most important art museums in Europe.
The structure of the residence includes: 10 courtyards, residence Museum, the Treasury, the Munich state collection of coins, cuvillies-theater, library, court Church of All Saints Park and the Bavarian Academy of Sciences. Read more about Munich residence...
On the South side of the square in the 18th century in Rococo style was built the Palace of Turing-Jettenbach (Palais Toerring-Jettenbach).
In those days the mansion with courtyards was the most sophisticated aristocratic Palace of Munich.
The main decoration of the present building of the former Palace is its North facade, which was restored by Leo von Klenze columned portico. A model for the columns of the Palace served as a foundling hospital OSPEDALE degli Innocenti, (Ospedale degli Innocenti) in Florence. Murals tamer of horses in the portico was made by Johann Georg Hiltensperger.
In the 2000s, the building was converted to commercial and residential center with shops, restaurants, offices, residential apartments on the upper floors and underground Parking. Read more about the Palace of Turing-Jettenbach...
From the building of the former Palace of Turing-Jettenbach street starts maximilianstraße (Maximilianstraße), stretches to the East of the city and leading to the historical building, the Maximilianeum (Maximilianeum).
The square Max-Joseph-Platz, in turn, also serves as the Western starting point of the Royal Avenue maximilianstraße.
Maximilianstrasse is one of the main streets of Munich and one of the most expensive streets in Germany.
Along the street there are: 5-star hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski München, Munich chamber theatre "Kammerspiele", the government building of Upper Bavaria, the Museum five continents, outlets of famous brands, boutiques and jewelry stores. Read more about maximilianstraße...
On the West side of the square max-Joseph located the brightly coloured facades of the historical houses of the middle class (now restored).
On the first floor of the buildings are shops and restaurants.
From the Western side of the square max-Joseph diverge such streets as:
- Residenciales (Residenzstraße), which is in a northerly direction, along the Munich residence, leads to another famous square Odeonsplatz (Odeonsplatz), which is connected with an ambivalent history and around which is concentrated the important sights of Munich. Read more about the square Odeonsplatz...
Photos of the area Odeonsplatz
- shopping street Persistence (Perusastraße), which leads to another shopping street - Theatinerstrasse (Theatinerstraße), which, in turn, to the North, as well as Residentialstyle street leads to the square Odeonsplatz.
A corner of the square max-Joseph: the streets Residenciales, Persistence and maximilianstraße
A corner of the square max-Joseph: streets and Residenciales Persistence
Photo street Persistance
Photo street Theatinerstrasse
Where to stay near square max Joseph
5-star hotel Bayerischer Hof with 5 restaurants, 6 bars and a Spa with a rooftop pool, sauna and gym.
The Atelier restaurant of the hotel has been awarded 3 Michelin stars. The Trader Vic's restaurant decorated in Polynesian style.
The rooms and suites: air conditioning, high speed Wi-Fi. Complimentary fruit basket and bottle of mineral water. Link to the hotel
The 5-star Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski with a restaurant, bar, free Wi-Fi and a Spa centre with pools, gym and sauna. Panoramic view of the city.
In rooms: air conditioning, TV and Minibar. Bathrooms include bathrobes, Slippers and free toiletries. Delivered daily to the room a complimentary bottle of water. Upon request and subject to availability and an electric kettle.
Room rates may include Breakfast. Link to the hotel
The hotel an der Oper features a restaurant, bar, free Wi-Fi, rooms and apartments.
The Soundproofed rooms and apartmentswith flat screen TV, mini-bar, safe and Hairdryer. Facilities and free toiletries. Link to the hotel
The 4-star Platzl Hotel Superior with free Spa, a restaurant, a pub with a beer garden and free Wi-Fi.
The Soundproofed rooms feature wooden furniture and include a flat-screen TV, Windows from floor to ceiling Windows and laptop safes. The bathrooms include bathrobes and Slippers. Each room offers a complimentary bottle of water.
Room rates may include Breakfast. Link to the hotel
All accommodation in Munich, including near Max-Joseph-Platz in the historic centre, you can view and book here
