Isartorplatz

The Isartor forms the eastern city gate of Munich's historic Old Town and marks the boundary between the Graggenau quarter and the Isarvorstadt. As the last gate of the second city wall, built in the 14th century under Louis the Bavarian, it was for a long time the main entrance for travelers on the Salt Road. Today the structure stands at the eastern end of the street Tal and separates the Old Town from the Lehel district. The gate is almost completely preserved and impresses with its tall central tower, which rises above the entire complex, as well as two flanking side towers. Between these towers stretches a walled courtyard, which today has three equally sized gateways. A special architectural touch is added by the large wall fresco depicting the triumphal procession of Emperor Louis the Bavarian after the Battle of Ampfing. This work of art was created in the 19th century by Bernhard Neher and shows a detailed scene with clergy, city council, riders, and captured opponents.

The history of the gate is marked by several phases of restoration. After the city council decided to demolish it at the beginning of the 19th century, King Ludwig I saved the structure and commissioned Friedrich von Gärtner to restore it in the Neo-Gothic style. This work also included the addition of coats of arms on the flanking towers, which refer to Louis's allies. During World War II, the Isartor suffered severe damage, which was only provisionally secured in the 1950s and later comprehensively renovated in the 1970s. In the process, the medieval appearance was restored and some earlier alterations were corrected. Today the two flanking towers house the Valentin-Karlstadt-Musäum, which is also home to the Café Turmstüberl. Visitors can experience the gate's historic fabric and admire the elaborate frescoes that make the gate one of the city's most important landmarks.