MUNICH RESIDENZ

The Munich Residenz is the former royal palace of the Bavarian monarchy in the city of Munich, making it one of the popular Munich attractions. It is currently home to several museums, art galleries, and its own theatre. The palace was first built in 1385, though it has undergone numerous expansions and renovations over the centuries. It was the primary residence of the Bavarian monarchs until 1918, when the last king of Bavaria, Ludwig III, abdicated.

The Munich Residenz was the main royal palace of the Bavarian Wittelsbach dynasty in the centre of Munich. The largest city residence of Southern Germany, it served as the seat of government and residence of the Bavarian dukes, electors, and kings from 1508 to 1918.

The Residenz is the largest city palace in Germany and is today open to visitors for its architecture, room decorations, and displays from the former royal collections. It is considered one of Europe's finest royal palaces.

Visitors to the Munich Residenz can explore over 100 rooms containing sumptuous furnishings, exquisite works of art, and fascinating historical artefacts. A particular highlight is a stateroom where King Ludwig II was crowned in 1864. Guided tours are available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Italian.

Highlights

• Highlights of the Munich Residenz include the Cuvilliés Theatre, one of the oldest surviving theatres in Europe; the Orangerie, a large garden with orange trees; and the Antiquarium, a museum that houses ancient Roman artefacts.
• The palace complex was built over a period of nearly 500 years and includes several courtyards, gardens, and buildings.
• The oldest part of the complex is the Heidelbergplatz, which was originally built in 1428. The Heidelbergplatz was the palace's main courtyard and served as the site of many festivals and celebrations.