This autumn I have spent a weekend in Bavaria, the largest German state located in the south-eastern part of the country. The region enchanted me with its pristine nature, romantic castles, local tradition and customs and excellent beer. Most of the time I have spent in the capital of Bavaria- Munich. Making few trips outside of the city I promised myself to come here for longer, discover smaller towns and enjoy picturesque hikes closer to the Austrian border.
The few days I had in Germany I spent in Munich which made on me really good impression. Beautiful architecture, amazing museums with vast art collections, good regional cuisine and cosmopolitan vibe quickly put Munich on the list of my favourite German cities.
One of the most impressive places I visited in Munich was Munich Residence which for centuries was the political and cultural center of first dukes, then the electors (from 1623) and finally the kings of Bavaria (1806-1918). As the residence and seat of government of the Wittelsbachs, the history of the palace is inseparable from that of Bavaria’s ruling dynasty. The monarchs gradually extended the rooms, adding extra wings, furnishing and decorations to suit their personal tastes. Many notable artists and architects were engaged for these purposes. The Residence was also place where rulers were keeping their art collections and treasure.
The palace is very grand and I found it one of the most impressive royal houses I have ever seen. Its splendour is comparable to Palace Versailles, or British royal residences.
Magnificent interiors of Munich Residence
Nowadays, the residence is turned into museum and is open to visitors. You can admire there elaborate architecture, royal chambers and their impressive decorations, in the treasury you will find displays from the former royal collections.
The museum is open every day (including Mondays), the online reservation is not possible. You can buy tickets to Residence Museum where mostly you see several wings with decorative rooms used by the electors, there is a separate ticket to the Treasury, and another one to Cuvillies Theatre. Note that to visit all sites of the Residence you need all day. The extended tour in Residence Museum takes around 3 hours, slightly more than one hour in Treasury is needed.
I have visited only Residence Museum and strongly recommend you to explore it too if you love watching interiors and learn the history of European royal houses.
I invite you for a photo report to have a glimpse at grand interiors of Munich Residence.
The tour starts at The Ancestral Gallery of the House of Wittelsbach and was created under Elector Karl Albrecht. The portraits show over one hundred members of the House of Wittelsbach and their consorts. Nowadays, the gallery is regarded as one of the most outstanding masterpieces of South German Rococo.
Next, we head to the Grotto Courtyard which is fabulously decorated with statues and fountain covered completely by sea shells. This amazing construction of the grotto begun in 1583. This is definitely one of the most amazing places in the entire palace.
Another impressive room is the Antiquarium commissioned by Duke Albrecht V as an exhibition room for his collection of antiquities. Under Duke Wilhelm V the Antiquarium was transformed into decorated ceremonial hall.
The rest of the tour around the ground floor leads through the Royal Apartments.
The collection of tapestries is particularly worth paying attention.
The attention to details is absolutely impressive.
On the upper floor you will find the Stone Rooms which were the largest and most important suite of rooms in the Residence in the 17th century. Duke Maximilian I had the suite built between 1612 and 1616. Its name refers to the decoration in the rooms, using marble, stucco marble and scagliola, a special technique of imitation marble inlay.
The Stone Rooms were not used as the private apartments of the Duke, but served as the guest apartment for visiting emperors. On display here today are 17th-century ornate furniture and tapestries from the collections of the Wittelsbach family.
On the upper floor you’ll be walking through various wings with richly decorated royal apartments commissioned by subsequent German electors.
An absolutely gorgeous room is the Green Gallery which was built between 1731 and 1733, as a side tract to the complex of the Ornate Rooms. The architect was François Cuvilliés. The Green Gallery was a venue for court celebrations. It takes its name from the wall covering of green silk damask.
Apart from grand royal interiors you will also find dinnerware and prized Meissen porcelaine exhibition, I particularly liked the decorative Meissen figurines.
There is much more to write and illustrate, but let’s not reveal all of Munich Residence charms, it’s worth to see them all by yourself 🙂
This residence is awesome, really so grand, I especially like the room with shells ❤️
Please post more about Munich in general 😉 I heard they have great museums, and the cuisine is also very traditional.
Wow, this museum is sooo impressive 😉
Hope for more posts from Bavaria! 😉 My favourite part of Germany in fact, your post about Heidelberg also was interesting 😉
So nice discovery. Please write more about Munich, I planned my trip to Vienna using your blog and it was great, now I want to schedule my Munich trip!
I’ve been to many German cities but not to Munich. I also love museums and history so this place looks like a must. Hope to see more of your posts and Munich and maybe from Bavaria?
I find it a bit strange they don’t have booking online. I’m afraid of queues and we usually plan our days very precisely…Good to know they open on Mondays because this allows to better arrange other museums, really good info here, cheers from Netherlands!
Munich is a discovery to me, the history, the ancient rulers but also now such a lively city, looks like a good business centre. Hope for another post from you about it.
Bavarian rulers had to be very powerful at one time. I love visiting German castles and grand residences! Unfortunately the entrance tickets are expensive…
Uwielbiam czytać Twojego bloga! Zawsze dostarczasz wartościowej treści, która pomaga mi w planowaniu moich podróży. Przez chwilę poczułam się jak w tym pałacu. Dziękuję za Twoją pracę i zaangażowanie w to, co robisz!
You could definitely see your enthusiasm in travel about which you write. Bavaria is so interesting! Thanks for the writing;) One of the most informative travel blog I’ve read.
This residence is awesome, really so grand, I especially like the room with shells ❤️
Please post more about Munich in general 😉 I heard they have great museums, and the cuisine is also very traditional.
Wow, this museum is sooo impressive 😉
Hope for more posts from Bavaria! 😉 My favourite part of Germany in fact, your post about Heidelberg also was interesting 😉
This residence is marvelous! Didn’t expect such grandeur in Munich, this becomes my must visit city!
So nice discovery. Please write more about Munich, I planned my trip to Vienna using your blog and it was great, now I want to schedule my Munich trip!
I’ve been to many German cities but not to Munich. I also love museums and history so this place looks like a must. Hope to see more of your posts and Munich and maybe from Bavaria?
I find it a bit strange they don’t have booking online. I’m afraid of queues and we usually plan our days very precisely…Good to know they open on Mondays because this allows to better arrange other museums, really good info here, cheers from Netherlands!
This Munich museum looks so grand. Reminds me of the greatest palaces in France and the UK, I need to plan the trip with my mother there 😀
Waiting for more from you about Bavaria the same way you did it about other countries/regions. Maybe some culinary guide?
Hi Sloane, I was thinking about such post, haha! Bavarian cuisine is different from the one in other parts of Germany so I think it’s really good idea 😉 If you’re interested about cuisines around the world, check out this post: https://www.culturegeek.eu/2022/10/12/which-food-and-coffee-should-you-try-in-dominican-republic-the-ultimate-culinary-guide/
Munich is a discovery to me, the history, the ancient rulers but also now such a lively city, looks like a good business centre. Hope for another post from you about it.
Super miejsce! Wpisalam na liste muzeów do zobaczenia w Monachium;))
What’s the best time to visit Munich? Also to do some hikes around since it’s close to the mountains.
Fantastic place, Munich is so different than other cities in Germany!
Bavarian rulers had to be very powerful at one time. I love visiting German castles and grand residences! Unfortunately the entrance tickets are expensive…
The Ancestral Gallery and the grotto are such masterpieces! Great pictures and I want to see it all for myself too 🤩
Uwielbiam czytać Twojego bloga! Zawsze dostarczasz wartościowej treści, która pomaga mi w planowaniu moich podróży. Przez chwilę poczułam się jak w tym pałacu. Dziękuję za Twoją pracę i zaangażowanie w to, co robisz!
Excellent put up, very informative. I want to come to Munich for 3 days with my family.
You could definitely see your enthusiasm in travel about which you write. Bavaria is so interesting! Thanks for the writing;) One of the most informative travel blog I’ve read.