Munich, July 1, 2026 – The Munich City Council’s full assembly has voted to award honorary citizenship to Josef “Hep” Monatzeder, 74, the highest honor the city can bestow. Lord Mayor Dominik Krause will present the former Third Mayor with the honorary citizenship certificate at a later date.
A Legacy of Shaping Munich’s Future
Monatzeder, a Green Party politician, has profoundly influenced Munich’s urban policy for decades. From 1996 to 2014, he served as the city’s Third Mayor. His contributions to environmental and climate protection, cycling, cosmopolitanism, tolerance, and municipal development cooperation are particularly highlighted. With this award, Monatzeder becomes the 69th honorary citizen of Munich.
Lord Mayor Dominik Krause praised Monatzeder’s foresight, stating, “With great foresight, Hep Monatzeder initiated projects 30 years ago that are indispensable today: the renaturation of the Isar, the wind turbine on Fröttmaninger Berg, and the promotion of cycling. Not to forget the city partnership with Harare, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. I am therefore very much looking forward to presenting Hep Monatzeder with the honorary citizenship certificate in recognition of his outstanding services to our city.”
Key Contributions and Projects
Monatzeder’s tenure saw the early implementation of initiatives that continue to shape Munich today, focusing on making the city more livable. His notable achievements include:
- Isar River Renaturation: A project to restore the Isar to a more natural state, enhancing its ecological value and recreational appeal.
- Fröttmaninger Berg Wind Turbine: A landmark project promoting renewable energy within the city.
- Cycling Infrastructure: Significant efforts to expand and improve cycling routes and facilities, encouraging sustainable urban mobility.
- Harare City Partnership: Fostering international cooperation and celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
- Municipal Development Cooperation: Promoting sustainable development initiatives.
- Open City Society: Championing topics such as equal rights for same-sex lifestyles, underscoring Munich’s commitment to tolerance and diversity.
Who is Hep Monatzeder?
Josef “Hep” Monatzeder was born on August 5, 1951, in Siegenburg. He is a social pedagogue and political scientist and has resided in Munich since 1968.
From 1990 to 2018, Monatzeder was a member of the Munich City Council for Bündnis 90/Die Grünen. He was first elected as Third Mayor on May 2, 1996, and was re-elected in 2002 and 2008. From 2018 to 2023, Monatzeder served as a member of the Bavarian State Parliament.
The Significance of Honorary Citizenship in Munich
Honorary citizenship is the highest personal distinction awarded by the City of Munich. It is conferred upon individuals who have rendered exceptional service to the welfare of the city, applying a particularly strict standard. The tradition dates back to the Municipal Edict of 1818, allowing the magistrate or city council to grant honorary citizenship.
The award is decided by a resolution of the full assembly of the City Council in a non-public session. Honorary citizenship carries no special rights or obligations, serving purely as a personal honor. Recipients do not need to reside in Munich or be Munich citizens; foreign personalities can also be honored. Crucially, honorary citizenship can only be awarded during a person’s lifetime; posthumous awards are not permitted. The names of honorary citizens are inscribed on commemorative plaques in the Upper Foyer of the Old Town Hall.
A Rich History of Honoring Distinguished Citizens
With Hep Monatzeder, the honorary citizenship of Munich has been awarded for the 69th time. The first honorary citizen was State Minister Georg Friedrich Freiherr von Zentner in 1820. Early honorees also include optician and physicist Joseph von Fraunhofer, recognized in 1824.
Over more than 200 years, personalities from politics, science, culture, architecture, medicine, sports, and civil society have been honored. This list includes architects like Leo von Klenze, Gabriel von Seidl, and Georg von Hauberrisser; composers such as Richard Strauss and Carl Orff; scientists like Justus von Liebig and Max von Pettenkofer; and former Lord Mayors including Thomas Wimmer, Hans-Jochen Vogel, Georg Kronawitter, and Christian Ude.
Many figures from recent city history are also among Munich’s honorary citizens, such as Charlotte Knobloch, Michael Krüger, Gertraud Burkert, Christian Ude, Philipp Lahm, Michaela May, Jutta Speidel, Rachel Salamander, Ernst Grube, Doris Dörrie, Siegfried Benker, and Harald Lesch.
Munich’s Living Honorary Citizens
Currently, there are 19 living honorary citizens of Munich. With the presentation of the certificate, Hep Monatzeder will become the 20th living honorary citizen of the city. Most recently, astrophysicist Professor Dr. Harald Lesch was awarded honorary citizenship in April 2026.
The current list of living honorary citizens includes:
- Professor Dr. Harald Lesch – Astrophysicist and science communicator
- Siegfried Benker – Politician (Greens), former city councilor
- Doris Dörrie – Director and author
- Ernst Grube – NS survivor and contemporary witness
- Hannelore Kiethe – Social activist, Münchner Tafel
- Hans Podiuk – Politician (CSU), former city councilor
- Christine Strobl – Politician (SPD), former mayor
- Duke Franz of Bavaria – Head of the House of Wittelsbach
- Dr. Hubert Burda – Publisher
- Philipp Lahm – Former professional footballer
- Michaela May – Actress
- Dr. Rachel Salamander – Publicist and cultural mediator
- Jutta Speidel – Actress
- Heinrich Traublinger – Former President of the Chamber of Crafts
- Christian Ude – Former Lord Mayor
- Dr. Gertraud Burkert – Former Mayor
- Dr. h.c. Michael Krüger – Publisher and writer
- Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c. Bruno Reichart – Heart surgeon
- Dr. h.c. Charlotte Knobloch – President of the Jewish Community of Munich and Upper Bavaria
The formal presentation of the honorary citizenship certificate to Hep Monatzeder by Lord Mayor Dominik Krause will officially mark his inclusion in this distinguished group, recognizing his profound and lasting impact on the city of Munich.
Source: https://www.muenchen.de/aktuell/hep-monatzeder-ehrenbuerger-der-stadt-muenchen
