Field Marshals' Hall (Feldherrnhalle)

The basics

Plenty of tours let you look at Field Marshals’ Hall: you can visit by hop-on hop-off bus, roll past on a Segway, or join an Old Town walking tour. But one of the most interesting ways to discover it is on a World War II tour with a guide. When Hitler tried and failed to seize power in the 1923 Beer Hall Putsch, it was here that he was defeated. During the Third Reich, Feldherrnhalle became a sacred site, with guards to ensure passers-by delivered the Nazi salute: the alley down which locals detoured to avoid Sieg Heiling commemorates their quiet resistance with a path of golden cobblestones.

Things to know before you go

• Field Marshals’ Hall is a must for anyone with an interest in World War II history and also a great spot to sit and admire the view

• Most travelers will only want a quick photo stop at Feldherrnhalle, which is easily done after visiting the Munich Residence next door

• Odeonsplatz is wheelchair-accessible, but there is no ramp for the Feldherrnhalle’s stairs, so you’ll need to admire it from outside

How to get there

Field Marshals’ Hall (Feldherrnhalle) sits by the Munich Residence (Residenz München) on Odeonsplatz in the heart of the city. Catch the U-Bahn (subway) line U3, U4, U5, or U6 to Odeonsplatz, walk across the square, or ride a hop-on hop-off bus to the Residence.

When to get there

You can stop by the Feldherrnhalle at any time of day or night, but the building is beautiful when illuminated at twilight. If you plan to visit in July, check the date for the Klassik am Odeonsplatz open-air concerts, when some of Germany’s finest classical performers use the Feldherrnhalle as their bandstand: you’ll need to book tickets well in advance.

Discovering Munich’s Nazi past

Hitler rose to power while living in Munich and made his political name here with the Beer Hall Putsch: it’s possible to see the apartment house where he lived as a struggling artist, a courtyard he painted, his favorite restaurant, the spot where he met his wife, Eva Braun, and more. Just 12 miles (20 kilometers) from the city center, Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site is all that remains of the Nazis’ first regular concentration camp: most Munich World War II tours will visit there alongside city sights.