The Rathaus-Glockenspiel is a large mechanical clock located in Marienplatz Square, in the heart of Munich, Germany. Famous for its life-size characters, the clock twice daily reenacts scenes from Munich’s history. First is the story of the marriage of Duke Wilhelm V to Renata of Lorraine in 1568 and the second tells the story of the Schäfflerstanz, or other wise known as the Cooper’s dance.
History
The clock was added during the completion of the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) in 1908. Every day at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. (as well as 5 p.m. from March to October) and lasts about 15 minutes. The clock has 43 bells and 32 life-size figures and re-enacts two stories from Munich’s history during the from the 16th century.
The top half of the Glockenspiel tells the story of the marriage of the local Duke Wilhelm V (who also founded the noted Hofbräuhaus) to Renata of Lorraine (Renate von Lothringen). In honor 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 (Bayerische Ritter) wins every time, of course.
This is followed by the second story, the Schäfflertanz otherwise known as the coopers' dance which plays out on the bottom half of the clock. This story depicts the end of a severe plague that took place in 1517. The coopers are said to have danced through the streets, encouraging residents to leave their homes again after being frightened by the plague. 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. The dance can be seen during Fasching (German Carnival): the latest one is in 2019.
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.
Restoration
In 2007 the glockenspiel underwent a restoration that was supported by the German Foundation for Monument Protection.
References
External links
An illustrated story about the Glockenspiel
Waiting on the Glockenspiel
Life-size characters: https://www.munich.travel/en/topics/urban-districts/glockenspiel-new-city-hall