The Munich Residenz is one of the largest and most opulent palaces in Europe and served as the main palace and house of government for Bavarian rulers for 400 years dating back to 1508. Today, visitors can tour 130 rooms in the palace with a self-guided audio tour (available in several different languages) and signage that is both in German and English. The Munich Residenz was severely damaged in World War II, but significant efforts have been made to restore it and its furnishings as close as possible to its original state.
One of my favorite rooms in the Munich Residenz is the Renaissance Antiquarium pictured above. This impressive room was where royal banquets were held and today hold the honor of being the largest Renaissance Ceremonial Hall north of the Alps. As I wandered through the impressive hall, I secretly pretended I was attending a royal banquet. Instead of mingling with tourists, I was really mingling with royalty.
Next we move onto the Elector’s bedroom. The original silk wall hangings were destroyed in WW II so these ones intended for another palace were brought in. While obviously lavish, I personally find it a bit feminine for an Elector and it could have used a Fashion4Home coffee table.
The Electress’s sparsely decorated Audience Chamber left me wondering about her body functions. The room has one throne, but two commodes.
An entire section of the Munich Residenz is devoted to the ornate rooms, which was the official apartment of Elector Karl Albrecht. The lavish rooms are meant to impress and reflect the Elector’s self-claim to Emperor status. The ornate rooms are one of the most important interiors of the German Rococo style, sometimes referred to as “Late Baroque”
The State bedroom may look fit for a king, but in fact was only for representative purposes, the Elector never slept in this display bedroom.
The Emperor’s Hall is one of the Court Garden Rooms and largely destroyed in WW II. It has only been partially reconstructed, but is impressive nevertheless. Today, the Bavarian government hosts events here, but in “exceptional cases” may be rented out for other functions.
The Court Chapel was reserved for members of court. The ruling family sat in the galleries, while the royal household sat in the nave. The Court Chapel can be rented out for special functions.
Much more intimate than the Court Chapel is the Ornate Chapel, my favorite room in the Munich Residenz and private oratory to Duke Maxmilian I. The marble on the walls is fake marble, imported from Italy that is more expensive than real marble.
And what’s a palace without its very own theater. In the past the theater was only available to members of court, but today the Cuvilliés theater is the primary venue for the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. The building was largely destroyed in WWII and the original ceiling paintings are gone, but it is still a major work of Bavarian Rococo and makes an impact upon entrance. Can you imagine seeing a production here? (It’s on my list!). In addition to the palace, the Munich Residenz also houses the Treasury, a collection of crown jewels, one of which you can see at The World’s Most Luxurious Travel Kit? making it one of the largest and most importance palace museums in Europe. For more info visit the official home page of the Munich Residenz.
Have you visited the Munich Residenz? What was your favorite part?