During the winter, the Glockenspiel operates at 11 am and noon. We headed down on Friday morning to see it. First we stopped in a crowded cafe for coffee and bread (I had sparkling water and a croissant, so I won!).
Dating from 1908, it tells two stories from the 16th Century. I will let Wikipedia summarize:
"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). The Bavarian knight wins every time, of course.[3]
"This is then followed by the bottom half and second story: Schäfflertanz (the coopers' dance). According to myth, 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 to the duke, and their dance came to symbolize perseverance and loyalty to authority through difficult times. By tradition, the dance is performed in Munich every seven years. This was described in 1700 as "an age-old custom", but the current dance was defined only in 1871."
Cathedral tower.
The glockenspiel.
Mary in Marianplatz.
Clock above the Glockenspiel.
On the roof line of City Hall.
Glockenspiel in action.
Bavaria vs. France.
The joust!
The post joust ceremony.
The cooper's dance.
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