Odeonsplatz

The Odeonsplatz is a large square in central Munich, created in the early 19th century by Leo von Klenze. It sits at the southern end of the Ludwigstraße, linking the Residenz palace to the north with the Theatine Church and the Feldherrnhalle to the south. The square takes its name from the former Odeon concert hall on its northwest side, now the Bavarian Ministry of the Interior. On the west side stand the identical Palais Leuchtenberg and the Odeon, both modelled on the Palazzo Farnese in Rome. The east side features Klenze’s Bazaar Building, which houses Café Tambosi. Between these buildings, an unnamed street leads to the Palais Ludwig Ferdinand, now the headquarters of Siemens. The square has been the scene of major historical events, including the fatal gun battle that ended the 1923 Beer Hall Putsch. It was designed by King Ludwig I of Bavaria and expanded to include the new Ludwigstraße, replacing earlier plans for a park-like setting. The Feldherrnhalle, a copy of Florence’s Loggia dei Lanzi, closes the view at the southern end. In 1862, an equestrian statue of Ludwig I was added between the Odeon and the Palais Leuchtenberg. The square has long been used for parades, including victory processions after the Franco-Prussian War and the annual march to the Oktoberfest. Visitors find a grand urban space framed by neoclassical buildings and the Feldherrnhalle. The square is part of Munich’s central pedestrian zone, with Brienner Straße leading south to Wittelsbacherplatz. The pavement bears plaques honouring the four police officers killed in 1923. The Theatine Church stands nearby, and the Residenz palace borders the square to the east. The area remains a site for civic events and demonstrations, linking Munich’s royal past with its modern life.