The Munich Residence, once the seat of Bavarian dukes, electors, and kings from 1508 to 1918, is the largest city palace in Germany and a masterpiece of evolving European architecture. Originating in 1385 as the fortified Neuveste, it was transformed over centuries into a sprawling complex of Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical splendour. Today, its 130 rooms and opulent halls showcase treasures from the Wittelsbach dynasty, including the lavish Antiquarium, the glittering Treasury, and the ornate Cuvilliés Theatre. Much of the palace was rebuilt after wartime destruction, yet it retains its grandeur, offering visitors an immersive journey through five centuries of art, power, and courtly life. Surrounded by the tranquil Court Garden and facing the stately Max-Joseph-Platz, the Munich Residence remains a cultural landmark where history, architecture, and artistry converge in the heart of the city.
Munich GermanyThe Munich Residence (Residenz München) is centrally located at Residenzstraße 1 in the heart of Munich, close to Marienplatz and Odeonsplatz. As the former royal palace of the Bavarian monarchs from the Wittelsbach dynasty, it is the largest city palace in Germany and now serves as a museum displaying magnificent architecture and royal collections. The complex includes 130 rooms and ten courtyards, featuring highlights such as the Königsbau, the Alte Residenz, the Festsaalbau, the Cuvilliés Theater, and the Herkulessaal—the main concert venue for the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Nearby, visitors will find other cultural and historic attractions such as the National Theater, the Bavarian State Opera, the Hofgarten (a stylish Renaissance garden perfect for strolls), the Feldherrnhalle, and the bustling shopping avenues of Maximilianstraße and Theatinerstraße. This vibrant area of Munich also offers easy access to cafes, restaurants, designer boutiques, and further museums like the Bavarian State Museum, situating the Munich Residence at the very center of the city’s historic, artistic, and social life.