Glockenspiel at Neues Rathaus

The Rathaus Glockenspiel dates from 1908. Every day at 11am and 5pm ( as well as 12 noon in the summer) it chimes and re-enacts two stories from the 16th century. It consists of 43 bells and 32 life-sized figures. The top half of the Glockenspiel tells the story of the marriage of the local Duke Wilhelm V (who also founded the world famous Hofbräuhaus) to Renata of Lorraine. In honour of the happy couple there is a joust with life-sized knights on horseback representing Bavaria (in white and blue) and Lothringen (in red and white).

This is then followed by the bottom half and second story: Schäfflertanz (the coopers' dance). 1517 was a year of plague in Munich. The coopers are said to have danced through the streets to "bring fresh vitality to fearful dispositions." The coopers remained loyal and their dance came to symbolize perseverance and loyalty to authority through difficult times.

It lasts somewhere between 12 and 15 minutes depending on which tune it plays that day, At the very end of the show, a very small golden rooster at the top of the Glockenspiel chirps quietly three times, marking the end of the spectacle.

There are huge crowds on hand to watch the show and we get stiff necks from looking up.Read more