Karlsplatz – popularly known as Stachus – is a large square with a circular road in the center of Munich. It was created in the late eighteenth century after the medieval city fortifications were torn down. June 20, 2016

Karlstor used to be Munich’s famed city wall from the medieval ages till late into the 18th century. It served as a major defensive fortification and checkpoint. Now on the other side is a pedestrian zone with restaurants and shops. Karlstor receives its name from Karlsplatz (better known under its local nickname “Stachus”) which includes the circular road. June 20, 2016

A store on Neuhauser Street near Karlsplatz that sells modern/traditional German attire. Women wear a dirndl, a ruffled apron dress that consists of a bodice, or blouse, and a skirt. In the 19th century, the dirndl was the standard uniform of servant girls, but today it is mostly worn in Bavaria usually for celebration. And, Lederhosen for the men are leather short or knee-length pants. June 20, 2016

Marienplatz, which has been Munich’s main square since 1158, is dominated by this large and imposing structure called the New City Hall (Neues Rathaus). The Glockenspiel in the tower of the new city hall which chimes and re-enacts two stories from the 16th century, draws millions of tourists a year. June 20, 2016

An inside corridor look at the New City Hall (Neues Rathaus) in Munich, Germany’s, city center called Marienplatz. June 20, 2016

The Viktualienmarkt is a daily food market, located a block from my hotel and across from Marienplatz in the center of Munich, Germany. The Viktualienmarkt developed from an original farmers’ market to a popular market for gourmets. The popular and lively market boasts 140 shops and stalls that offer flowers and plants, vegetables, exotic fruit, venison and poultry, eggs, butter, honey, fish, beer, meat and sausages. June 20, 2016

The maypole in the center of the Viktualienmarkt, a daily food market, shows figures displaying the trades and crafts of this part of Munich, Germany. Maypoles date from the ages of general illiteracy and served to represent a village or later, as in this case, a borough and its trades to travelling salesmen or travelling craftsmen looking for a new master to learn from. June 20, 2016

The shopping area on Neuhauser Street, the portion of Munich’s downtown pedestrian zone between Karlsplatz and Marienplatz. June 21, 2016

At the east side Munich’s Marienplatz city center is the Old City Hall (Altes Rathaus). It’s a gothic council hall, ballroom and tower, which have been reconstructed but has graced Marienplatz for more than five hundred years. It is one of the city’s most beautiful buildings from the Gothic era. June 21, 2016

The Viktualienmarkt is a daily food market, in the center of Munich, Germany, with about 140 shops and stalls that offer a variety of foods and tables in the middle of the market where people can eat outdoors. June 21, 2016

Food stalls of Viktualienmarkt, a daily food market in the center of Munich, Germany. June 21, 2016

More of the Viktualienmarkt is a daily food market, located a block from my hotel and across from Marienplatz in the center of Munich, Germany. June 21, 2016

St. Peter’s Catholic Church from the front with its high tower commonly known as “Alter Peter” – Old Peter – is located in the inner city by Marienplatz and the Viktualienmarkt and is the oldest church in Munich. June 21, 2016

St. Peter’s Catholic Church from the side of the church is located in the inner city by Marienplatz and the Viktualienmarkt and is the oldest church in Munich. June 21, 2016

The main alter of the St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Munich, Germany. June 21, 2016