Gezicht op de Marienplatz te München c. 1870 - 1885

This is a stereo card showing the Marienplatz in Munich, Germany, made by Georg Böttger in the late 19th century. Stereo cards like these were popular forms of entertainment. People would look at them through a special viewer, which would create a three-dimensional effect. But this photograph is more than just a pretty picture. It tells us a lot about the social and cultural life of Munich at the time. The Marienplatz was the heart of the city, a place where people gathered to shop, socialize, and celebrate. The image shows us the architecture of the buildings, the layout of the square, and even the way people dressed. We can see the iconic towers of the Frauenkirche, the city's cathedral, rising in the background. To fully understand this image, we can delve into local archives. By researching census records, newspapers, and other historical documents, we can understand the role this image played in shaping the identity of Munich and its people.