Munich’s Arnulfsteg Bridge Renamed to Edith-Haberland-Wagner-Steg
Munich, January 16, 2026 – The Arnulfsteg, a well-known pedestrian and cycle bridge spanning 37 railway tracks in Munich, has been officially renamed the Edith-Haberland-Wagner-Steg. This decision was made by the municipal committee of the city council on Thursday. The bridge, which connects the Schwanthalerhöhe district in the south with the Arnulfpark in the north, was originally opened on December 23, 2020.
Honoring a Significant Munich Figure
The new name honors Edith Haberland-Wagner (1899-1996), a prominent figure from the Augustiner brewing dynasty. In 1996, she established a foundation to which she bequeathed her entire fortune upon her death. This foundation continues to hold just over half of the traditional Munich brewery, ensuring that slightly more than 50 percent of Augustiner’s profits flow into the Edith Haberland Foundation.
The Edith Haberland Foundation is actively involved in various initiatives across Munich. For instance, it provides its congress hall free of charge annually for the Children’s Culture Summer. Furthermore, the foundation established the Hotel Augustin, a youth and family hotel located near Theresienwiese, which has since become a popular meeting point for many Munich residents.
Positive Reception from City Council
The decision to rename the Arnulfsteg to Edith-Haberland-Wagner-Steg has been explicitly welcomed by the Green/Rosa Liste/Volt faction in the city council. Sibylle Stöhr, deputy faction leader of The Greens/Rosa Liste/Volt and chairwoman of the Schwanthalerhöhe district committee, commented on the renaming:
“The initiative to build the Arnulfsteg came from the Neuhausen and Schwanthalerhöhe district committees – and so did the naming after Edith Haberland-Wagner. She definitely belongs to Munich’s strong women. The founding of her foundation was more than far-sighted. The foundation not only secured the continued existence of the brewery but also promotes art and culture, saves monuments from decay, and supports people in need in this city. It has always been important to us Greens to give such important women the visibility they deserve through street namings. It is good that we have implemented this today and that an important pedestrian and cycle connection will now be named after a woman.”
Public Reaction and Future Outlook
The renaming has sparked some discussion among the public. Some residents suggest that the bridge will likely continue to be referred to as the “Arnulfsteg” in common parlance due to the length and complexity of the new name. Others argue against the use of double and triple names for public infrastructure to avoid potential difficulties for residents and visitors.
Despite these discussions, the official renaming underscores the city’s commitment to recognizing the contributions of significant historical figures, particularly women, in shaping Munich’s cultural and social landscape. The Edith-Haberland-Wagner-Steg will continue to serve as a vital connection for pedestrians and cyclists, now bearing a name that reflects a rich legacy of philanthropy and community engagement in the Bavarian capital.
