Munich Residenz,don't jugde a palace by its facade
One of the greatest palace surprises ever was the Residenz in Munich. As
the proverb says: don't jugde a book by its cover, it also can apply to
seemingly boring palaces. So don't jugde a palace by its facade.
Some Facts
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.
The complex of buildings contains ten courtyards and
displays 130 rooms.
own pictures of the Residenz taken in 2014
Some royal history
The first buildings at this site were erected in the year 1385 and
were financed by the township of Munich as a sanction for a
failed uprising against Stephen III (1375–1413) and his younger
brothers.
were financed by the township of Munich as a sanction for a
failed uprising against Stephen III (1375–1413) and his younger
brothers.
The Silver Tower (Silberturm), as the strongest bastion, was
significantly situated next to the inner walls protecting the castle
against the city.
significantly situated next to the inner walls protecting the castle
against the city.
With the order of William IV (1508–1550) to expand the Neuveste with
the so-called Rundstubenbau and to set up the first Court Garden,
began the history of the Munich Residenz as a representative palace.
the so-called Rundstubenbau and to set up the first Court Garden,
began the history of the Munich Residenz as a representative palace.
Source picture: Wikipedia
Under Albert V (1550–1579) Wilhelm Egkl built next to a banqueting hall
of the Neuveste (St. George Hall) an art chamber in the building of the
former ducal stables, many collections in Munich originate from there.
of the Neuveste (St. George Hall) an art chamber in the building of the
former ducal stables, many collections in Munich originate from there.
William V (1579–1597) ordered the construction of the Witwenstock
(Widow Wing) for the dowager Duchess Anna and in 1581–1586
the four wings of the Grottenhof. Friedrich Sustris was the architect.
(Widow Wing) for the dowager Duchess Anna and in 1581–1586
the four wings of the Grottenhof. Friedrich Sustris was the architect.
Around 1590 the construction of the Black Hall began to the
southeast on the Antiquarium. Under direction of Sustris the
Erbprinzentrakt (Prince Wing), north of the Witwenstock was added.
southeast on the Antiquarium. Under direction of Sustris the
Erbprinzentrakt (Prince Wing), north of the Witwenstock was added.
Maximilian I (1597–1651) commissioned what is now called the
Maximilian Residenz (Maximilianische Residenz ), the west wing
of the palace.
Maximilian Residenz (Maximilianische Residenz ), the west wing
of the palace.
Until the 19th century, it was the only publicly visible facade and it still
is preserved. The portals are guarded by two lions and a statue of the
Virgin Mary as patroness of Bavaria in a wall niche between the
portals on the west side of the residence complex. Maximilian had
rebuilt and connected the existing buildings.
is preserved. The portals are guarded by two lions and a statue of the
Virgin Mary as patroness of Bavaria in a wall niche between the
portals on the west side of the residence complex. Maximilian had
rebuilt and connected the existing buildings.
Its large dimensions satisfied Maximilian's successors up to 18th
century, who contented themselves with interior upgrading and
smaller extensions such as the wing for the Grüne Galerie (1730)
and the Residenz Theatre (1751).
century, who contented themselves with interior upgrading and
smaller extensions such as the wing for the Grüne Galerie (1730)
and the Residenz Theatre (1751).
Today's building is from the time of King Ludwig I of Bavaria
(1825–1848), who instructed his architect Leo von Klenze to
extend the palace.
(1825–1848), who instructed his architect Leo von Klenze to
extend the palace.
Between 1825 and 1835 the King's building (Königsbau) was
constructed to the south in the style of the Florentine Palazzo Pitti.
The building is 30 meters high.
constructed to the south in the style of the Florentine Palazzo Pitti.
The building is 30 meters high.
In the Königsbau are numerous suites of rooms, including the
State Apartment of Ludwig I on the first floor and the
Nibelungen Halls on the ground floor.
State Apartment of Ludwig I on the first floor and the
Nibelungen Halls on the ground floor.
Today also the Treasury is situated in the ground floor of the
Königsbau. The royal living rooms are still preserved, they
served primarily for the representation and could be visited
by appointment already at that time.
Königsbau. The royal living rooms are still preserved, they
served primarily for the representation and could be visited
by appointment already at that time.
The actual private apartments of the royal couple on the back
of Königsbau have not survived due to its destruction in
World War II.
of Königsbau have not survived due to its destruction in
World War II.
On the second floor were the so-called Festgemächer, which were
intended for minor court festivities. The spatial sequence was
divided into lounge, reception salon, dance hall, flowers hall
and private rooms for the king. These rooms are still preserved
but in a highly simplified form and are now home to the
Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts.
intended for minor court festivities. The spatial sequence was
divided into lounge, reception salon, dance hall, flowers hall
and private rooms for the king. These rooms are still preserved
but in a highly simplified form and are now home to the
Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts.
Nowadays
The Munich Residence and its museums have received more than
300,000 visitors per year, similar to the Nymphenburg Palace and
ahead of Schleissheim Palace, but clearly behind the castles of
King Ludwig II, especially Neuschwanstein. However it's really a
visit worth!
💥
during a visit in 2014. The pictures from the royals are from
Wikipedia.
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