Playground between the Jewish Museum and the Synagogue
View of the fountain as a centre of attraction from the Orag House with the Ohel Jakob Jewish Synagogue in the background, 2008
View across Jakobsplatz to the Orag House and City Museum, 2008
Opposite the Jewish Museum is the St Jakob am Anger monastery (right) on Jakobsplatz, 2023.
The Jewish Centre with the illuminated main synagogue Ohel Jakob and the Jewish Museum (right) on Jakobsplatz, 2022.
In the 1980s, Jakobsplatz was a parking lot.
Jakobsplatz
St Jakob's Square dates back to the 13th century, when Franciscans ran a chapel there. The St. Jakob am Anger monastery, which stands to the south of St. Jakobsplatz and is characterised by its brick façade, is the oldest monastery in Munich.
A lively market square in the 19th century, the picture changed with the Second World War. The square and parts of the surrounding area were destroyed and the wasteland was used as a car park for a long time. Today, thanks to the Jewish Centre (community centre of the Israelitische Kulturgemeinde München und Oberbayerns) with the main synagogue Ohel Jakob, Jakobsplatz has once again become one of Munich's cultural hubs. The entire area covers 1.1 hectares and is paved at right angles to the community centre. The granite paving echoes the historic paving of the old town and contrasts with the travertine façades of the community centre and the Jewish Museum. These buildings give Jakobsplatz its unmistakable face and its special significance for Munich.
The square is very popular and attracts families with its playground - especially the fountain in front of the Orag House with its 30 water fountains is used to cool off in summer.