The Mariensäule on Marienplatz in Munich

As part of my photographic series Multiperspectives, and specifically the Munich sights within it, I took a liking to the Mariensäule on Marienplatz. For centuries, Marienplatz has been the vibrant administrative, political, and economic heart of the Bavarian capital Munich. It houses the city administration and is a crucial transport hub: where important trade routes once converged, today major S-Bahn and U-Bahn lines, as well as the main axes of the pedestrian zone, intersect.

At its centre stands the Mariensäule, erected in 1638 under Elector Maximilian I – as thanks for Munich being largely spared during the Thirty Years’ War. The gilded statue of the Virgin Mary symbolises protection and hope for the city and its inhabitants. Particularly striking are the four putti at the base, which symbolically represent the overcoming of war, plague, hunger, and heresy. As one of Munich’s oldest and most famous monuments, the column also serves as the starting point for measuring all distances in Bavaria. To this day, it remains a central meeting point and a significant landmark of the city.

For me, it’s often a starting point for photo walks, for example to Max-Joseph-Platz or Odeonsplatz, which offer many creative opportunities.