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. This room is one of the reasons that I believe that frescos are the most dangerous cultural attraction in Europe.
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” a much different style than found in Heidelberg Castle, Hohenzollern Castle or Lichtenstein Castle.
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. I’m sure it would have been different at Schloss Ludwigsburg where the king’s bedroom got a lot of use with frequent visits from his lady friends.
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, which would be less rainy than watching a Shakespeare play in Hohenzollern Castle. 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?
I'm Laurel, a former Program Director from Canada now living in Munich, Germany. I love traveling, diving, and hiking. I'm also an animal enthusiast with a special affinity for monkeys, cats and sharks.
I never knew there’s such an extravagance in Munich. Fascinating.
Mette Christensen recently posted..Fagioli con salsa di tonno
@Mette – I was surprised too, especially since it wasn’t a King Ludwig castle.
Such a grand place! We have yet to visit Munich but this looks like a great place to visit and try out some HDR shots given all the details of the place. Thanks for sharing!
Jeremy from Idelish recently posted..{USA} Luxurious Grand Wailea in Maui
@Jeremy – I never thought about trying out HDR shots, but I’m sure your shots would turn out amazing and there’s no shortage of details to choose from.
Mm, I think I want to get married there if I have the chance XDDD (Ceremony in Court Chapel, Dance celebration in Emperor’s Hall, and banquet at Renaissance Antiquarium…)
Royalty back in the day knows how to live man…..(kind of jealous)
Annie-FootTracker recently posted..SF(14) Fleet Weekend with Blue Angels @Marina Green
I love seeing treasures like this….so over the top with splendiferous, baroque, old world goodness. I would love to attend a show in that theater too. Gorgeous!!
Renee recently posted..Learning to FlyFish with Will Dornan, the Snake River Angler, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Love your commentary on the tour, especially on body functions and the fact that you were pretending to be attending a royal banquet.
Thanks!
~ Emme
AH- LOVE LOVE LOVE the rooms designed and all the ornate fabrics.
Jade recently posted..The Perfect Costa Rica Honeymoon
Wow! Talk about opulent! Nice shots!
Wow, it’s like I’ve seen this place before! I think we have the same decorator!
Jeremy Branham recently posted..Weekend Fall getaways in northern California
Excellent pics that really show the splendor of the Residenz. I went to a play in the Cuvilliés theater 14 years ago and have been trying lately to think of the name of the theatre. So thank you!
Wow, it’s so ornate and luxuriously decorated. The Court Chapel and Emperor’s Hall are amazing!
Mark Wiens recently posted..Hidden Treasures at the Local Market in Sanjiang City, Guangxi Province, China
Oh my god that first photo! What a room!
robin recently posted..El Idioma
It’s funny how I mostly picture these kinds of places in Italy or France but not in Germany. I think I tend to forget it also has a rich history!
Zhu recently posted..Fall Colours at the Park
Hi, Laurel. I like how you’ve captured the great extravagance that is the Residenz! I was around the Residenz in München at the end of last week, when I wandered into the courtyard of the Cuvilliés-Theater to take a few photographs at night. Thanks for your post!
fotoeins recently posted..Sunset at Sandtorhafen
@Annie – Now that’s an idea!
@Renee – Me too, I never get tired of checking out castles.
@Emme – Thanks so much. It’s easy to have an overactive imagination in the Munich Residenz.
@Jade – The fabrics were something else!
@Michael – Thanks and I was surprised to see the opulence in room after room.
@Jeremy – Send me photos please
@Christopher – Glad I could help
. I really want to see a play there, hopefully in the next couple of months.
@Mark – The Emperor’s Hall was also one of my favorite rooms. It’s hard to pick a favorite, when they’re all so nice.
@Robin – Looks just like your house? As it does Jeremy’s?
@Zhu – I never expected castles like this in either in Germany until I moved here and became a regular castle goer. Now I just need to start checking out French castles.
@fotoeins – Thanks. I’m sure it would be even more beautiful at night. I’ll have to go back for more photos then. Hope you’re in Germany to stay again.
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Hi, Laurel. I hope you can get to photograph the Residenz and nearby Odeonsplatz at night! I hope to be back in Germany for the final-third of next year, in time for the Weihnachtsmärkte (Christmas markets).
fotoeins recently posted..Sunset at Sandtorhafen
You got great shots, and I love that the signs are also in English.
Lisa recently posted..The culture of Germany starts with the food and drinks