The market place represents the core area of the historical city Mönchengladbach, together with the area around and below Münster. From here, the small settlement formed into a city and was finally surrounded by a city wall.
Since the 12th century, the place served as a marketplace. Within the next few centuries, three weekly fairs and four weekly fairs were organized at regular intervals. The big fairs took place on the 6th of January (Holy Trinity), on the half-fast (in March), on the 15th of June (the patron saint day of St. Vith) and on the 11th of November (St. Martin). Dairy products, bacon, eggs, fish, oil and also cloth were very popular goods at the weekly markets.
In 1929 the towns of Rheydt and Mönchengladbach were merged. After suddenly having two marketplaces, the old marketplace was renamed "Alter Markt" to distinguish the two squares.
Not only residential buildings dominated the area around the market, but early on, the inns were established here. The still existing historic buildings on the Old Market include the inn St. Vith and the former gatekeeper's cottage, which today houses an Italian restaurant.
Old market today; Source: MGMG
Today, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning, the weekly market takes place, where especially fresh fruit and vegetables are sold. The Old Market is still shaped today by the many local cafes, pubs and restaurants.