This palace is a lot, but in a good way.
The largest city palace in all of Germany, the Munich Residenz is a lot. The Residenz has been around in some form since the 14th century. It is an amalgam of different styles of architecture. The palace is a giant maze. Thankfully, there were lovely arrows pointing you in the right direction. The rooms just go on and on and on. The museum actually has signs for a shorter or longer route. I, of course, took the longer route.
There are multiple courtyards and entrances to the palace. Rulers had to leave their mark by building new wings. The exterior of the complex doesn’t really match all the way around.
Jana Irving I got a sense of deja vu when I saw Ludwig I of Bavaria’s 19th rendition of an Italian Renaissance palace.
The Munich Residenz doesn’t bear any resemblance to Florence’s Palazzo Pitti (or Pitti Palace) at all.
Jana Irving First view of the interior of the palace. It’s going to be a wild one.
Jana Irving The Grottenhof, a Renaissance style grotto.
Jana Irving The oldest room in the palace is this giant 16th century Renaissance hall. Called the Antiquarium, it is lined with antique sculptures.
Jana Irving The Elector’s Audience Chamber. Elector is weird Holy Roman Empire title for people that pick the next emperor.
Jana Irving The Blue Cabinet, a private room near the Elector’s bedroom. I’m in love with the damask.
Jana Irving The Electress’ Audience Chamber. In the 18th century, this room only contained a canopy, a throne and two commodes (chamber pot holders).
Jana Irving The palace was heavily damaged during WWII and had to be restored. The Court Church of All Saints was covered in colorful frescoes. It was reopened in 2003 and serves as a venue for concerts. A few remaining bits of frescoes can be seen around the windows.
Jana Irving The Music Room. The furniture and musical instruments belonged to the first Bavarian King, Max I Joseph (r. 1806-1825).
The tour route goes through a few simpler rooms. I was thinking it was done. Nope. Just moving into a different wing of the palace.
Jana Irving Room of the Prince. There were a series of rooms like this one with giant tapestries. In the 17th century, this room was used as a dining room.
Jana Irving Room of Judgement was used for audiences.
Jana Irving The Emperor’s Stairs, which leads to…
Jana Irving The 17th century Emperor’s Hall.
Jana Irving The doors to the Emperor’s Hall are ridiculous. There is engraving on the hinges.
Jana Irving One of the Stone Rooms, which were used as a guest apartment for visiting Holy Roman Emperors.
Jana Irving The alcove used for a fireplace/stove looks like an altar in a church. Ridiculous.
Jana Irving Another Court Chapel. This one is from the 17th century. The chapel was used by members of the court. The ruling family stayed up in the galleries and other members of the royal household sat down below.
Jana Irving This room is simply named the Ornate Chapel, which is a bit of an understatement.
Jana Irving The Green Gallery.
Jana Irving The Green Gallery is actually an L-shaped room. So, here’s more of it.
Jana Irving Conference Chamber. There is a whole section of the palace called the Ornate Rooms. Many have this same wall covering.
Jana Irving The State Bedroom.
Jana Irving The Cabinet of Mirrors. It has a bunch of little porcelain vessels, and, well, mirrors.
Jana Irving This palace never ends. This staircase heads to the King’s Tract, built in the mid-19th century.
Jana Irving It’s a whole bunch of neoclassical rooms. The Queen’s First Antechamber was used as a waiting room for those wanting an audience with the queen.
Jana Irving The very shiny Queen’s Throne Room.
Jana Irving The Queen’s Salon was used for social occasions. I love the color scheme of this room.
Jana Irving The Queen’s Writing Room. Love the color.
Jana Irving King’s Reception Room is Neoclassical on steroids.
Jana Irving Ludwig I’s Throne Room. He must have really liked yellow.
There is a whole porcelain collection paralleling this route that I basically just walked through. Was I getting palaced out? A bit.
Jana Irving Then I found the Nibelungen Halls.
Jana Irving Neo-Gothic on steroids.
I finally escaped the palace after a few hours. Grabbed lunch and headed back for the Treasury.
Jana Irving That cannot be comfortable to wear.
Jana Irving The Renaissance era Saint George Statue.
Last stop was the Cuvilliés Theatre, an opera house finished in 1755. Luckily, it’s carved interior was removed before Munich’s destruction.
Jana Irving Simply gorgeous.
Jana Irving A fitting theater for this kind of palace.
Jana Irving The ruler’s fancy private box.
Jana Irving This palace was a lot.
The Munich Residenz was the best almost last stop on a fantastic month-long trip. The place is massive. I only showed less than half the rooms in this post. I took over 400 pictures inside alone. I was not surprised I lost my friend about halfway through the building. Honestly, this palace alone was worth the visit to Munich.
Check out my next update where I am back in the States and checking out the Land Between the Lakes.
or
Start at the beginning of this adventure in Zurich!
