Old Town Hall at Marienplatz
Credit : Goran Jakus Photography
CITY OF ROYALS
For 400 years , the House of Wittelsbach lived and ruled from the Residenz palace in what is today the heart of Munich ’ s Old Town , or Altstadt . Its 130 rooms , built and remodeled over centuries , evolved from Renaissance to Baroque , Rococo , and Classical styles . Highlights include frescoed walls and ceilings depicting scenes from the epic 13th-century German poem , “ Nibelungenlied ,” as well as vast collections of silver , gilt furniture , and porcelain . The royal treasury holds the Bavarian crown jewels , gem-studded reliquaries , and stunning goldsmith work .
When life in the heart of Munich became unbearably warm , the Wittelsbachs relocated a few miles west to Nymphenburg Palace , Germany ’ s largest Baroque palace and the Bavarian royals ’ summertime residence . Begun in 1664 , the castle took more than 150 years to finish and remains a high point of any Munich visit ; particularly the frescoes of Flora , the mythological goddess of the nymphs for whom this palace was named ; and the Gallery of Beauties , 36 portraits of Munich ’ s loveliest ( and presumably Ludwig I ’ s favorite ) 19thcentury women .
Just outside the palace , Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory creates porcelain works entirely by hand , just as it has since 1747 . The brilliantly-colored bird figurines , tea services , and vases are so fine , so universally popular , that they are often referred to by buyers as Munich ’ s “ white gold .”
CITY OF ART
More than 80 museums fan across Munich , The center of the city ’ s art and cultural scene is the Kunstareal ( Art District ). The Alte Pinakothek , the granddaddy of Munich ’ s art museums , hosts the Wittelsbach ’ s personal collection , including works by masters like Raphael , Titian , Rembrandt , Dürer , and Bruegel .
Across the street , the Pinakothek der Moderne might be considered four museums in one , with wings dedicated to modern art , architecture , design , and prints and drawings . Fall 2019 sees the launch of several exhibitions including African Ceramics ( through March 2020 ), drawing and etchings by Rembrandt ( through mid-Oct . 2020 ), and paintings by Van Dyck ( through Jan . 2020 ).
For a modern edge , start with Museum Brandhorst — itself a work of art , with a facade composed of 36,000 vertical ceramic louvres in 23 different colors . Inside , find the
FLYWASHINGTON . COM 32 SUMMER 2024