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Munich Residence And Court Garden

Former Palace of the Monarchs of Bavaria

From the end of the 14th century until 1918, the Munich Residence was owned by the Wittelsbach family as the palace of the Bavarian monarchs. Today it has been converted into a museum with 10 courtyards and 130 exhibition rooms, with the attached Court Garden located on the north side of the palace complex.

The Munich Residence (Munich Residenz) is located just north of Munich’s Marienplatz, next to Odeonsplatz. The palace complex originated as a small castle built by Duke Stephen III in 1385 and was the Palace of the Rulers of Bavaria until 1918.

Throughout history, the owners of the Munich Residence have changed hands, from Dukes, Electors, and Kings of Bavaria, but all have had one identity in common – Members of the Wittelsbach Family.

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Manywhere Trivia:
The Wittelsbachs were a German noble family whose dynasty ruled Bavaria for nearly 800 years, and the famous Neuschwanstein Castle was the palace of King Ludwig II.

Successive owners have expanded and renovated the palace in many aspects, resulting in a rapid expansion of the Munich Residence complex and a change in its architectural form. Looking at the Facades from different directions, one can find the Differences in Architectural Styles.

Today the Munich Residence has been transformed into the Residenz Museum, which has 130 rooms and 10 Courtyards to exhibit Bavarian royal collections.

On the north side of the palace complex, the Hofgarten (Court Garden) is a perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle. The Dianatempel (Diana's Temple) in the middle of the garden is in the shape of an octagon, and the eight arches of the pavilion each extend a path that divides the garden neatly. Mothers with babies or white-collar workers enjoying lunch can always be found in the garden, while the sunlight shining through the old Bavarian royal palace.