Munich Residenz

The Wittelsbach family, who ruled Bavaria from the 11th century until 1918, used this immense palace as their official residence and the seat of their government for over 400 years. The Residenz München has a history as complex as its architecture.

Constructed in 1385 as a modest Medieval fortress, the monarchs expanded it over the years, making it the largest urban palace in Germany: ten courtyards, 130 rooms, a church, a theatre, riding stables...

A huge part of the building was destroyed in World War II, but much of it has been restored: today the Residenz is open as a museum, and visitors can marvel at magnificent sculptures and fountains; lavish interiors furnished with an enormous antique collection and all manner of priceless treasure.

Visiting the Residenz

The Residenz is an extravagant palace complex and at any one time around 90 of its luxuriously-decorated rooms may be open to the public: it's a lot to see, but it's undoubtedly well worth the visit. Stunning frescoes, majestic tapestries, and works of art reflect the power and wealth of the Bavarian monarchs over the centuries. If you don't have all day to explore, we recommend checking out the following highlights:

• Cuvilliés Theatre: built between 1751 and 1755 and meticulously recreated following its destruction during the Second World War (someone thought to dismantle and store the carved and gilded boxes for safekeeping during the war!), this breathtakingly luxurious red-and-gold Rococo-style theatre was named after the architect who designed it.
• Treasury: home to a collection of jewels spanning more than 1000 years, the Wittelsbach Treasury, or Schatzkammer, is one of the most important in the world. There are royal insignia and jewel-encrusted swords; goblets and tableware; Chinese porcelain, ivory from Ceylon, and Turkish daggers... the list goes on. The Schatzkammer is also home to the oldest-surviving royal crown known to have been in England, the Crown of Princess Blanche, which dates back to around 1370.
• Antiquarium: this awe-inspiring barrel-vaulted banquet hall was created to show off the Wittelsbachs' extensive collection of antiques and decorated with incredible Renaissance frescoes.

A Must-See

To make the most of your visit, so you don't miss a single detail, we recommend a guided visit to the Munich Residenz. It's an absolute must-see for any traveler.