Neuhauser Straße and Kaufingerstraße are considered Munich’s shopping paradise, where crowds of people are always bustling about. On rainy days, however, it quickly becomes uncomfortable when strolling turns into sprinting to get from store to store. If you still don’t want to miss out on your downtown stroll, simply head to the Stachus Passages. These span 10,000 m² beneath Karlsplatz and offer everything your heart desires, from fashion and cosmetics to home decor.
The Mammoth Project
In the 1960s, Stachus was a central transportation hub frequented by around 1.6 million people daily. For this reason, the city decided to undertake a major renovation of Karlsplatz in preparation for the upcoming Olympic Games. From 1966 to 1970, the Stachus complex—Europe’s largest underground structure—was built. It was constructed using the “deck” method, meaning it was built from the top down, similar to the BMW Tower. The Stachus complex spans four floors, which, in addition to the shopping arcade, house the S-Bahn and U-Bahn stations.
There were several delays during construction, and the final cost amounted to 163 million marks, instead of the originally estimated 13.5 million. On November 26, 1970, the time had finally come, and the Stachus complex opened. This month marks its 46th anniversary.
Back then, the shopping center still consisted of various clusters of shops, among which it was easy to get lost. You could buy jewelry, shoes, and records, among other things, and of course there was plenty to eat. You could enjoy sandwiches, takeout pizza, or fresh juice served in a glass here. One of the cafés had a fully glass facade through which you could watch the hustle and bustle below. And right in the middle stood a bowl fountain as an eye-catcher, cheerfully splashing away.
The Stachus Arcades after the renovation
In 2007, a four-year construction project began at Stachus, during which the basement was completely renovated. On May 26, 2011, the shopping center reopened with a grand celebration under its new name, “Stachus-Passagen.” To this day, it is considered the largest underground shopping center in Europe. The islands were transformed into a circular walkway that leads you around the stores in a circle. The fountain has disappeared and has not reappeared elsewhere.
The ceiling has also undergone a visible transformation, with white circles now adorning it in place of the straight panels. Since 2018, familiar faces have graced some of these circles on Munich’s “Sky of Fame.” This honors well-known Bavarian personalities such as the Spider Murphy Gang or Rudolph “Mosi” Mooshammer.
Today, you’ll find a total of 60 stores down here, stocking you with all kinds of consumer goods, as well as groceries and drugstore items. If you’re in the mood for entertainment, you can head straight through the Stachus passages to the mathäser, which has its own entrance down here. There are also regular special offers and discount promotions at the shopping center. During the Black Days, for example, you can look forward to music, dance performances, contests, and, of course, discounts.
