Karlstor

Karlstor stands at the western end of Munich’s pedestrian zone, marking the boundary between the old town and Ludwigvorstadt. The medieval gate once guarded Neuhauser Straße. First documented in 1302, it formed part of Munich’s second city fortification and stood beside the historic salt road, now a busy pedestrian route.

Approaching visitors once crossed a wooden bridge, passed a semicircular barbican and entered a defended inner courtyard. Two front towers and a taller central tower controlled access. An explosion later destroyed the main tower, while Arnold Zenetti redesigned the surviving towers in Neo-Gothic style in 1861. Around the turn of the twentieth century, Gabriel von Seidl incorporated the gateway into the surrounding buildings.

Today, the central vault contains collar heads portraying Munich figures, including folk singer Josef Sulzbeck and court jester Georg Pranger. A memorial plaque honours Herbert Jensen, who helped establish Munich’s pedestrian zone. The passage is wheelchair accessible, while the surviving towers preserve the outline of a former fortified entrance.