This year’s Open Monument Day will take place on September 14. This year’s motto is: “Valuable: Priceless or irreplaceable?” More than 5,500 sites are taking part across Germany. In Munich, there are 32 places you can visit with a special program, including churches, castles and museums.
What is the Open Monument Day?
Open Monument Day has been taking place in Germany since 1993, but the original idea came from France. The day was introduced there in 1984. The idea caught on across Europe, which is why the European Heritage Days were created in 1991. These always take place in September, in Germany always on the Sunday of the second weekend in September.
The aim of the day is to raise public awareness of cultural heritage by opening up otherwise inaccessible monuments. The various monument sites and buildings often offer guided tours and lectures during this day, which deal with the topic of monument protection and provide historical insights.
What is on offer on Open Monument Day in Munich?
A total of 32 monument sites are taking part in Munich. You can find an overview here. From guided tours and walks to bike tours, there is plenty on offer. We present a small selection here:
- Federal Finance Court: Between 10:10 a.m. and 3:10 p.m., a 45-minute guided tour every ten minutes through the Fleischer-Schlösschen, which has been the seat of the Federal Finance Court since 1950.
- Mohr-Villa: Guided tour of the villa grounds, as well as exhibitions and a concert.
- Olympic Village: Guided tours of the Olympic Village at 11 am and 2 pm, each lasting 90 minutes. Prior registration is not necessary.
- Fürstenried Palace: Guided tours of the former hunting lodge, workshops, live music and a church service.
- Waldheim in Großhadern: Guided tours at 11am and 1pm, as well as talks and exhibited paintings.
- Von Parish Costume Library: Guided tours of the costume collection in the Art Nouveau villa every half hour from 10:30 am to 4 pm. Prior registration is required.
- Suresnes Castle: independent exploration of the castle and regular lectures.
- Theater am Sozialamt: Exhibitions on the history of theater and drama interludes.
You must register in advance for some of the program items. The first buildings and monuments open their doors at 9 am. Take the opportunity to plan your day around Munich’s cultural heritage.