Every year during the Oktoberfest, the impressive Ferris wheel towers over the Theresienwiese in Munich. The large gondolas not only offer a spectacular view of the city, but many couples in love have also kissed there for the first time. The Ferris wheel is the landmark of the world's largest folk festival and, like the Frauendom a symbol of Munich.
Ferris invented the Ferris wheel
So-called Russian bicycles already existed in Russia in the 18th century. They are considered the forerunners, were only a maximum of 12 metres high, but were equipped with gondolas. The actual Ferris Wheel was invented by the American engineer George Washington Gale Ferris in 1893, on the occasion of the World's Fair in Chicago. It is also known as the ‘Ferris wheel’ after its inventor. The first Ferris wheel in Europe was built in London in 1895. The wheel in the Prater in Vienna, which was built for the jubilee of Emperor Franz Josef I in 1897, is also very well known.
Unrivalled views and VIP gondolas
Today's Ferris Wheel at the Munich Oktoberfest is operated by the Willenborg family. It was first erected in 1979, is 50 metres high and has 32 gondolas with a total of 192 seats. It is illuminated by 35,000 light bulbs, which make it shine particularly impressively at night.
The Willenborg wheel is one of the most popular photo motifs at the Wiesn. When you get to the top, you can see as far as the Alps in fine weather during the day. At night, it offers a breathtaking view over the illuminated festival grounds. If you want to make a special impression on your loved one or are planning a marriage proposal at the Oktoberfest, you can hire one of the two VIP gondolas.
The largest wheel in Europe is the London Eye, which has been standing on the Thames all year round since 1999. The New York Wheel in Staten Island is due to open soon. At 192 metres, it will be the third tallest Ferris wheel in the world. There are only taller ones in Dubai and Beijing, but both are still under construction.
Munich has had a new landmark since 2019
Since April 2019, Munich has had a new landmark - the Umadum. The impressive Ferris wheel is in the Werksviertel neighbourhood at Ostbahnhof, on the site where the new concert hall will later be built. It is not yet clear whether it will move to another location in the city when construction begins. In any case, the new Munich attraction is the largest transportable Ferris wheel in the world and, at around 80 metres, is even 30 metres taller than the Ferris wheel at the Oktoberfest. You can look out over the city from the Umadum 365 days a year between 10 am and 10 pm.
