Theresienwiese is a public space in theLudwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt district ofMunich. It covers 42 hectares (100 acres) and is best known as the site of the annualOktoberfest.[1]
The grounds border the Ruhmeshalle and Bavaria statue in the west andEsperantoplatz in the east, where a memorial commemorates the victims of the1980 Oktoberfest bombing. The surrounding ring road,Bavariaring, provides access. To the north standsSt. Paul's Church.[2]
The site is named after PrincessTherese of Saxe-Hildburghausen, wife of KingLudwig I of Bavaria. Their wedding on 12 October 1810, when Ludwig was still crown prince, was held on a meadow outside Munich’s city walls. The meadow, later calledTheresienwiese ("Therese's meadow"), became the venue of Oktoberfest, held annually since that year.[3]
Since then, the grounds have hosted additional major events, including the spring and winterTollwood festivals[4] and one of Germany’s largest flea markets each April.[5]
Theresienwiese lies southwest of Munich city centre. It is served by theTheresienwiese station on theMunich U-Bahn lines U4 and U5.[6] ThePoccistraße andGoetheplatz stations are near the southern end. The nearestMunich S-Bahn stations areHackerbrücke andMunich Central Station.
