The statue was the first monumental bronze figure since antiquity to be cast in independent parts and then assembled.
The statue weighs approximately 87 tons.
There are 59 steps leading to the interior platform located within the head of the statue.
The statue is hollow, allowing visitors to stand inside the bronze structure.
The lion at the base of the statue represents the Bavarian coat of arms.
It survived World War II bombings largely intact despite the surrounding area sustaining significant damage.
The Bavaria Statue is an 18.5-meter-high bronze allegorical figure representing the state of Bavaria. Commissioned by King Ludwig I, it was cast in the Royal Bronze Foundry and completed in 1850. The statue sits atop a stone pedestal on the edge of the Theresienwiese, the site of the annual Oktoberfest. Visitors can climb a spiral staircase inside the statue to reach an observation platform in the head. The figure holds a wreath in her raised hand and is accompanied by a Bavarian lion. It is a prime example of 19th-century monumental sculpture designed by Ludwig Michael Schwanthaler.
From the steps of the adjacent Ruhmeshalle looking up at the statue to capture both the figure and the scale of the pedestal.
Bring a light jacket as the interior of the bronze statue can be significantly cooler than the outdoor temperature.
The stairs are narrow and steep, so ensure you are physically comfortable with tight, vertical climbing spaces.
Visit during the early afternoon when the sun angle better illuminates the face of the statue for photography.
Do not attempt to climb the internal staircase if you have mobility issues or claustrophobia, as there is no elevator.
Closed during the setup and operation of the Oktoberfest festival and throughout the winter months.
