The Main Building of LMU Munich
A Place of Learning, Remembrance, and Research
The main building of Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU), located at Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, is not only an architectural landmark of Munich but also a place steeped in history. Serving as a hub for faculties of humanities, economics, and social sciences, it has shaped the city’s landscape since 1840. It symbolizes academic exchange, scientific excellence, and civic courage.
Located just minutes away from Marienplatz, the building houses key university facilities, including the Audimax lecture hall, which seats over 800 people, the “Große Aula”, and numerous lecture halls and institutes. Nearby districts Maxvorstadt and Schwabing complement the main campus with additional sites for psychology, education, and language and cultural studies.
“Große Aula” large auditorium
Entrance Geschwister-Scholl-Platz
Historical Architecture
Absatz
Cupola/Dome
Constructed between 1835 and 1840 based on Friedrich von Gärtner’s designs, the building exemplifies 19th-century Rundbogen architecture. An expansion from 1906 to 1909 by German Bestelmeyer incorporated elements of Art Nouveau and Neoclassicism. Heavily damaged during World War II, especially during air raids on July 13, 1944, it was faithfully restored by 1958. Today, it serves as the headquarters of the university administration and remains a vibrant hub of academic life.
Geschwister-Scholl-Platz and the „Weiße Rose“
Directly in front of the main entrance lies Geschwister-Scholl-Platz, named after Hans and Sophie Scholl, two key members of the student resistance group “Weiße Rose” (White Rose). In 1943, they courageously distributed leaflets against the Nazi regime from LMU, an act for which they ultimately paid with their lives. An embedded monument in front of the entrance commemorates their final leaflet and commitment to freedom and humanity.
Absatz
Ground monument
“Weiße Rose” Memorial Site
Inside the building’s central atrium (Lichthof) is the “DenkStätte Weiße Rose” memorial site. This exhibition documents the group’s resistance within its historical context, introduces its members, displays facsimiles of their leaflets, and sheds light on persecution by the Nazi judiciary. Interactive media stations facilitate deeper engagement with this history.
Science at the Heart of the City
Absatz
“Lichthof” central atrium
Adjacent to the main building is the University Library, housing over five million media items. Just a few steps away is the Bavarian State Library, which holds 10.5 million titles—one of Europe’s most significant collections. Renowned museums such as the Pinakotheken, Museum Brandhorst, and the Glyptothek are situated in immediate proximity. This concentration of knowledge, art, and culture makes the area particularly attractive for research and teaching.
A Place for the Present and Future
LMU’s main building is a place for learning, remembrance, and future-oriented thinking. For participants of the 30th DGfE Congress, it provides not only an architecturally and historically impressive setting but also a venue where education, science, and social responsibility intersect.
Main Building Geschwister-Scholl-Platz