On a walk in Munich to the Isar River and Friedensengel monument at Maximilian Park, I had just crossed the Luitpold Bridge, and was looking for a way to safely cross busy Prinzregentenstrasse. Then I noticed the pedestrian tunnel under the street. What I found was more than an underground walkway. It was a showcase of street art.
Isar River from Luitpoldbrücke (Luitpold Bridge)
The Art
At the bottom of a curved staircase, I stopped in my tracks, surprised to see intriguing murals on both sides that continued the length of the tunnel.
Pedestrian Tunnel Under Prinzregentenstrasse
When walking in cities I’m always attracted to street art and the diversity of subjects, styles and techniques. I’m compelled to stop, take pictures and often think about who might have created the art. What was their motivation? What other art have they produced? Are they amateur or professional artists?
Murals in Munich
Murals in Munich
On this December day, the tunnel was free of other people but for one couple that quickly walked through while I was there. Though some tunnels are dark and scary, this one was well lit and peaceful. It felt more like being in a gallery than a tunnel with traffic above.
Pedestrian Tunnel in Munich
Mural in Pedestrian Tunnel in Munich
The Angel
Emerging from the tunnel, I was at the base of the Friedensengel Monument, looking up at the Angel of Peace statue at the top. Designed in 1891 by Jacob Möhl, the monument was built to commemorate 25 years of peace since the end of the Franco-Prussian War in 1871.
Friedensengel Monument, Munich
Angel of Peace Statue on Friedensengel Monument
After spending some time strolling through the park, I crossed the Isar again heading back to Old Town. Before long, I came across another interesting and unexpected sight — the daring surfers of the Eisbach!
This is my contribution to Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox.
What a find! Cathy, you have a lovely way of mixing words and photos to make me feel like I am right along side you as you go strolling through places. I love ‘our’ outings!
You are so nice. Well, I’m happy to have you along on my little excursions.
That is a fantastic tunnel of art. We are big walkers around cities as well and when you come across unexpected sites it is very satisfying – like your surfers in Munich – incredible.
Glad you saw the surfer post, too. Amazing, aren’t they?
Hi Cathy, I stumbled across your blog when I spotted ‘Munich’ because I was lucky enough to live there for a couple of periods and it’s my absolute favourite city. And then I saw the art and it blew me away. I loved the mice on the ladder, particularly! Lovely blog, great mix of photos and words as your first Jackie said 🙂
The mice on the ladder really stand out, don’t they? So glad you found my site. Thanks for the nice compliment, too.
The picture with the other couple in it makes the underground tunnel actually look like a gallery. Beautiful find, and I wish all underground tunnels were that nicely decorated.
It does make you wonder why they don’t let artists decorate all the tunnels!
What another cool place and attraction that I need to hunt down this summer. Love street art and this does look like a gallery. How great that Munich made use of its unnels to showcase artists. Loving all these great finds you stumbled on in Munich.
Glad to give you another tip for your upcoming trip — enjoy Munich!
Please let us know when you find out if the murals are “spontaneous” or sponsored by some group or municipal authority. My hometown, Philadelphia, PA has a Mural Arts Program that sponsors murals in all types of venues (mostly outdoors) and neighborhoods. This public art is welcomed and protected in even some of the toughest neighborhoods in the city. I’m planning a blog post on the program for one of these days.
Isn’t it wonderful how one can step around a corner and stumble upon something wonderful such as this. Really must put Munich on the list of cities to pay more attention to.
I love it when that happens.
/beautiful place 🙂
I think you’d love taking some photos in there, Lili.
Great find. Accidental discoveries always make the most lasting impression.
They do, indeed. Thanks for your comment.
I love this tunnel, such an unexpected surprise when you walk into it.
I figured that you would have seen it since you are a Münchner (hope I’m using the right word!).
Very cool tunnel – I’m never too excited about pedestrian tunnels, and I can’t really say I usually like the kind of art that is on display down there;), but this one is SO nice! Even better when so unexpected! I shall walk down to the dark side more bravely in the future and hope to find gold, like you did:).
I always enter tunnels very cautiously. With this one, I felt very comfortable right away. Glad I did so that I could enjoy seeing the murals.
Very beautiful find, Cathy. I love street art and often wonder about the artists. The scale of the work also intrigues me — maybe because I love to draw but am not good at it. I can just imagine how lovely it was to exit the tunnel and come face to face with the angel.
I think about the confidence of these artists. In addition to having talent and passion, they put it out there for all to see.
I’d love to have walked down the steps and found this fabulous street art. In Melbourne there is a lot of street art in the lanes and you can pop back a couple of weeks after your initial visit and find it has all changed. I wonder how long the artist’s work remains here.
That is a really good question! I’m sure that others would like to get some time in those spaces, too. 🙂
An ugly, cold concrete tunnel certainly looks far more beautiful with street art to warm the space. I wish there were more of those undiscovered art scenes to find in Canada. I remember seeing some great street murals in Seville and wish now that I’d taken far more photos.
Street art seems to be everywhere. I’m sure you’ll find more coming to Calgary, too.
What a serendipitous find and one I wouldn’t have made- I avoid tunnels. They’re usually grim and smelly and feel dangerous. The art is wonderful. A little ironic that there’s an angel of peace in Germany. Perhaps a few historical figures should be meditated there. And then surfers in town. What and interesting day!
Art, surfers, history, great food — lots of interesting finds in Munich!
Street art adds a rich element to cities, particularly in Europe. When we first arrived in Paris, it surprised us, but the longer we stayed, the more we enjoyed it. Perhaps the one difference between street art in Europe and in the US is that European street artists tend to respect the architecture and culture of the city. This is merely my non-expert observation. Thank you for sharing!
Good point about the European street artists respecting the architecture of the city. I hope that street art always complements the city’ culture. It would be a shame if it all became too much, too obtrusive.
Wish I had more time in Munich because we were there for Oktoberfest and that’s all we had time for in our short stay
I haven’t been there during Oktoberfest, but it sounds like that takes over the city during that time. I’d like to experience that.
I love finding random street art like that too 🙂
I’m not artist, but when I see it I sometimes wish I could make my statement on a section of wall, too. 🙂
I’m not a huge fan of grafitti but when it is done, like this one, as art I find it amazing. You’re right, it did have a gallery feel to it! I also love stumbling onto the completely unexpected.
You’ve hit on a good point. Grafitti v Street Art — there can be a fine line!
I love finding art tucked away like this in unexpected places. You captured it perfectly!
Thanks, Jessica. I totally loved the setting of this street art.
I like street art and this place is a great find! It looks like a free for all art gallery.
Look it up if you get to Munich. Funny that I haven’t seen anything online about this spot.
I find it interesting that the street art made the pedestrian tunnel feel like a gallery. On a visit to Noumea in New Caledonia, I discovered street art had been transformed into a work of art on the side of an abandoned building. Art canvases are definitely changing.
Art canvases are definitely changing – so many different forms, methods, locations — keeps it so interesting!
Street art is something we don’t get to see everyday, and it is something I really like looking at. It’s amazing how creative these are. Thanks for the great share, Cathy!
I’d love to have some time to find out about the individual artists and their motivations.
Amazing street art!
Nog the regular tags you see everywhere, but real ‘pictures’.
Thanks for sharing!
I agree. These pieces come from some real talent, thoughtfulness & creativity, I think.
What a neat place to “showcase” art. I love the picture of the couple strolling through and looking at it as if it were in a gallery!
I started Friday Daydreamin back up again – asking everyone to link up their favorite post of the week – hope you can link up this week! Thanks!
Glad to see Friday Daydremin back! Thanks for your comment, Becca.
What an awesome find! I do love my street art. I knew Berlin was famous for it, but didn’t know about Munich.
Ah, Berlin is wonderful for street art — and so much else! 🙂
Great art, Cathy! Isn’t it amazing how a little paint and artistic talent can turn something dreary into something beautiful!
So true, Nancie! Just think of all the other dreary places in the world that could be transformed into something beautiful.
Wonderful art and interesting history note, too, Cathy.
I wonder if sometimes cities in Germany commission such things to keep the more random graffiti away. A blank wall begs to be tagged, but often it seems the graffiti makers avoid defacing the art of others. Often, not always. We have a few pedestrian tunnels in Freiburg, but nothing like this that I know of.
How magnificent to stumble upon such an underground gallery!! I too would have reveled in the moment and snapped away!! This is a great tip for all those visiting the area!