Touring the Residenz in Bavaria’s capital…
Standing at the site of the infamous fatal gun battle site of historic Odeonsplatz in Munich, you would never imagine that 71 allied bombings had razed this whole city to the ground. There are no traces of the tragedy left. German history lives on through its impeccably restored monuments. And that is one of the many good reasons to not skip Munich or treat it as a pitstop for the castles tour down the Romantic Road. Another good reason is the Residenz. Germany’s largest inner city castle and one of the most important castle museums in Europe, gives you the chance to gawk at some of the most mind-boggling treasures of the Bavarian empire. Recommended for fans of extravagance and history buffs alike.
First, get the royal juices flowing with the Hofgarten. The elaborate and expansive court gardens, once reserved for the sovereigns, are a green sanctuary for the residents of the city. Today you can arrive on foot or on a modest two-wheel drive, instead of a horse-drawn carriage, and still be privy to the luxury of the renaissance-styled pavilions, sculptures, flower beds and borders of tall trees in this city oasis. Times…they change!
Facing the Hofgarten, stands the magnificent (reconstructed) palace complex of Residenz, consisting of ten large inner courtyards, theatres, concert halls, chapels, treasury and the residential quarters. This was the seat of Bavarian rulers and the Wittelsbach dynasty who made Munich their capital from 1100s and 1900s. Apparently, Hitler was so enraptured by Munich’s legacy, that he continued the tradition and retained it as his capital after being elected as chancellor. Each royal occupant added rooms and object’d art. In effect, the rooms and the vast art collection span a period covering renaissance, baroque, rococo and neo-classicial eras. Even King Ludwig II, the’ fairy tale king’, spent some time in the Residenz as a crown prince and added his own touches similar to the castles of Neuschwanstein and Linderhof. Art enthusiasts…have a ball!
The first wide-eyed wonder stop is the Antiquarium, a huge tunnel-like hall with a decorative vaulted ceiling that was once used for banquets and receiving guests. This oldest hall in the entire palace has a large ornate fireplace at one end and antique busts and sculptures lined all along its arched windows. Standing in the middle under the curved ceiling, with your arms outstretched, your head tilted back to survey the paintings above, you realise how tiny you are in the over-sized space. Ah, to turn back the clock and be a honoured guest of the Bavarian imperials…
Take your time to survey as many of the 130 palace rooms. Each of them is a living fairytale of the life of the kings and queens of Bavaria. Imagine the time of grand balls and parties, as you walk through apartments laden with lavish furniture, oversized paintings, rich tapestries, glittering chandeliers and exquisite sculptures. Doors covered in gold leaf trimmings. Rooms covered with silk damask walls in powder blue, gold, cream, yellow, green, gold, rich red. Opulence overload.
Lavishness has a whole new meaning in the Rich Chapel…aptly named for its magnificent decor of royal blue and gold inlay work. The domed ceiling inset with dainty stained glass openings is like a piece of jewellery, the workmanship is so detailed and minute. The fine floral ornamentation is designed to raise even the most cynical of eyebrows. Go on, stare all you can.
Gape over thousands of royal family jewels in the Schatzkammer (Treasury). Gorgeous crowns, medieval jewels, swords, gem-studded tiaras, altar pieces, treasure chests, gold and silver tableware are displayed under muted lighting and carefully focused spotlights. 1,250 items arranged across 10 rooms. Find your favorites. A ruby-diamond statuette (50 cm high) of St. George slaying an emerald-encrusted dragon. A traveling set belonging to Napoleon’s second wife adorned with more precious stones. And the oldest English Imperial crown dated 1370-80. This 7-inch high ‘Bohemian’ crown is made of pure gold, is enamelled and studded with rubies, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds and pearls. When you leave the palace museum a few hours later, you may be too dazzled for anything else.
Absorb the overwhelming experience with a leisurely stroll along Maximilianstrasse, Munich’s Bond Street. Expensive boutiques, upmarket art galleries and fabulous government buildings line this wide tree-shaded avenue. Women in fur enjoy wine in lavish restaurants and men in Armani suits step out of limousines. And you settle at a pavement table outside Starbucks with your crushed-ice frappuccino. Sounds of a Beethoven symphony flow into your ears from somewhere. You’re thinking…the charming capital of beautiful Bavaria with its low-key atmosphere is rightly dubbed ‘Millionendorf’ (village of a million people). Strangely though, like its heraldic animal, the Bavarian lion, it still has a certain regal air that stays with you even when you’ve left it behind.
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I’m so sad that when we were visiting Munich the palace was closed because it was Christmas day. The interior looks so opulent and beautiful
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That’s too bad! Maybe you will get to see it if you visit Munich again..
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Lavish is right! I would love to visit the Munich Palace, it is amazing that it survived the bombings.
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And you wouldn’t realize it if you didn’t know.
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Those crowns caught my attention, such intricate designs and well decorated with pearls. Couldn’t visit the palace when I was there for a short while. I have missed a lot. Impressive how they have preserved all these precious stuffs.
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The crowns were may favorite too, Indrani. Really fabulous pieces of art.
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Wow! The vaulted ceiling of the Antiquarium is unbelievable, what a great place to hold a banquet. The royal blue and gold inlay of the Rich Chapel is also beautiful. Looks like a great place to explore
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Residenz glorifies everything about the Bavarian royalty so well.
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Some seriously amazing sights here! Just magnificent – all those crowns! Wow, how spectacular and sparkly. I’m in awe! As for the Antiquarium, goodness what an incredible place to dine.
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Each time I explore a historic place, I am more amazed by the craftsmanship of the past.
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What an amazing place – unbelievable that so much of it was destroyed and rebuilt. I’d love to explore myself – it looks so decadent!
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The fact that it was rebuilt astonished me the most. You would never know…
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What a regal and decadent place to discover! Your photos captured the essence of the place beautifully. I completely missed out on this when I was in Munich last!
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Thank you Alli. Maybe you can feast your eyes on the Residenz next time…
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Munich is a great city with a lot to see. I was there many years ago and the Residenz is fantastic. I loved visiting, there is so much to see. Your photos are really good btw.
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Thanks so much. What was your favorite place in Munich?
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This is so beautiful! I’m so sad that I missed this when I went to Munich. Seeing those crowns would’ve been really cool! Plus, the Rich Chapel?! Holy cow! My jaw dropped at those stunning details!
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The RIch Chapel is just unbelievable!
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You are so right, I think that is as lavish as it could get! What a beautiful palace. It’s going on my Germany bucket list!
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Munich has so much more to offer.
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I was in Munich years ago, but did no research before I went and didn’t know anything about the history. I vaguely remember wandering around Hofgarten, but totally missed the palace and museum. Definitely wish I’d gone inside — the architecture and the artifacts are seriously impressive. So much gold!
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Its like Versailles.. a must for all palace lovers.
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Can’t believe I’ve been to Munich several times but never visited this gem! The garden looks absolutely lovely, would love to visit during this spring.
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The Residenz does tend to get overlooked. Hope you will explore it next time 🙂
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Ah, Munich! One of my favorite cities in Germany. I visited multiple times when I lived a few hours away in Darmstadt. The architecture there truly is spectacular and the royal family jewels… all you can say is wow!
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Yet the city doesn’t get all the attention it deserves.
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The vaulted ceiling and the frescoes are beyond beautiful. Everything about the palace, including the crowns, is so ornate, isn’t it? I’d like to read up on the history of the Munich Palace.
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The history is fascinating. Germany as a country is a gem many people overlook.
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I am such a magpie and these crowns look too good to miss seeing! I’d also love to wander and get lost in those gardens at Hofgarten, I’d be there all day!
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It would be a good day spent imagining the days of the Bavarian royalty.
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Opulence overload indeed. I would find it fascinating to see the hundreds of years of art history stored in the residence of the Bavarian monarchy. How overwhelming it must seem to tour the Residenz, with its 130 rooms and overwhelming ornate features. I find it amazing and somehow just that this palace that was once a display of class struggles is now open to the public and people of all social classes can come and tour the spot.
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Oh my Residenz looks stunning, I don’t know why I didn’t go here when I was in Munich definitely adding it to my list for next time that I am there. That grand hall is amazing and wow I can’t believe there are 130 rooms that is crazy.
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If you are a palace-loving traveller, this one is not to be missed.
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Thank you for sharing this place – I’d never heard of it before. Seeing pictures of places like this is always amazing, but there’s something completely awe inspiring about seeing this much opulence in person – just that antiquarium alone is stunning!
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Opulence and finest of craftsmanship, because royalty demanded only the best.
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Wow, the Antiquarium is jaw dropping! How have I never heard of this palace?! I need to get myself to Germany ASAP!
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The palace will take you a couple of hours to explore.
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Wow, the palace looks INCREDIBLE! The Antiquarium and all the other palace rooms, so rich and ornately decorated! Wow! Still need to visit Munich, this post reminds me why!
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The palace is a good reason to visit Munich. And there are several more 🙂
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Amazing that this place survived the war! So much opulence, it would be a lot to take in, but I think I’d love every minute! I think the Rich Chapel would be the highlight for me.
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Imagining the rebuilding is surreal in itself.
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Wow, the opulence here is staggering! Palaces like this are so amazing, but I couldn’t imagine living in a place like this. Talk about sensory overload!
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Those were the days of the royals! Lovely to step back in time for a while 🙂
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I can’t even begin to put into words how grand the Munich Palace is. I can probably compare it to Versailles Palace in terms of the grandeur of details. You are lucky you got to explore this because I definitely would want to!
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Yes, Versailles is an apt comparison!
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This is awesome information to read about Munich. I Loved every detail and pictures. thank you
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Thanks Stean. Have you been to Madrid?
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