Munich was for centuries the capital of the Duchy of Bavaria, which from 1806-1918 was elevated to the Kingdom of Bavaria. The primary palace used by the ruling family, the Wittelsbachs, was the Residenz in central Munich.
Half of the front facade of the Residenz (the whole thing wouldn't fit into the photo). It's currently under renovation, but at least the scaffolding is covered with a tarp depicting what it will look like when it's done.
Side-entrance.
It has its origins as a medieval fortress, but was renovated over the centuries and still maintains interiors dating from the 16th to the 19th century. The state rooms and royal apartments that are open to the public include suites from different eras - it's interesting to "walk through" time, as it were, as you pass from suite to suite.
The Cuvilliés Theatre, builtin the 18th century, is one of the finest Rococo theatres in Europe and is still in use today.
The Cuvilliés Theatre.
The Antiquarium is one of the more unusual rooms in the palace, built to store the family's large collection of authentic and imitation Greek and Roman sculptures.
The Antiquarium.
Beautiful interiors and chandeliers in the Residenz.
The walls of this small room were covered in mirrors. I can just imagine the ball gowns glittering to infinity!
The Wittelsbach family tree.
My favorite part of the palace was the Schatzkammer (Treasury). I think this has to be one of the most extensive treasury
collections in the world - it took about an hour to go through. The
pieces were absolutely amazing, only outdone perhaps by the Crown Jewels
in the Tower of London. I especially loved the medieval crowns - in most countries these have been melted down or destroyed. The collection covers over 1000 years of history, and contains everything from silver platters to precious boxes from Sri Lanka to bejeweled reliquaries (cases that hold bones etc. from saints and martyrs).
An English Queen's Crown, 1370-80. This is the oldest English crown in existence, transferred to Bavaria as part of the dowry of Princess Blanche, daughter of Henry IV.
Crown and regalia of the King of Bavaria. The crown originally contained the Wittelsbach Diamond, but this was sold off by the family during the Great Depression.
The Queen's Crown.
This is a "stomacher", which would be attached to the front of a lady's gown.
These are decorated bezoars (a mass trapped in the gastro-intestinal system). It was said that drinking from a cup with a bezoar in it would neutralize any poison.
Schloss Nymphenburg, located NW of the city centre, was the summer residence of the Wittelsbachs. The interior has many splendid Rococo rooms, especially the ballroom. The most famous room is the Schönheitengalerie (Gallery of Beauties), where the portraits of 38 women favored by King Ludwig I hang. King Ludwig was very democratic in his tastes, with his favorites including the daughter of a king and the daughter of a shoemaker. The grounds are very extensive, although there's not much to see in winter, and contain several hunting lodges, pavilions and small palaces.
Schloss Nymphenburg
The Ballroom.
Lots of stunning chandeliers.
The Hall of Beauties
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