Munich, Germany Part 2

We toured the Munich Residence which consists of the Residence Museum, Treasury, and Cuvillies Theater. It sounds rather innocuous but is anything but. The Residence Museum included over 90 rooms and that was with the King's Tract (apartments of Queen Therese and King Ludwig I plus the Nibelungen Halls) closed for the next few years for renovation. That also doesn't include many, many wings of the complex that aren't open at all.

The Munich Residence was the political and cultural center for centuries of the dukes, then the electors (from 1623), and finally the kings of Bavaria (1806 - 1918). It was the residence and seat of government of the Wittelsbach family who were the ruling dynasty of Bavaria. The various rulers furnished and extended the rooms to suit themselves over time, each putting their own stamp on the complex. It started in 1385 as a castle in the north-eastern corner of the city but extended further and further into the city as each monarch added to it. When the monarchy came to an end in 1918, the Residence was turned into a museum and opened it's doors in 1920 to the public. Much of the Residence was destroyed during WW II but reconstruction was begun almost immediately. Many of the artifacts had been previously moved for safe keeping so they survived the war and have gradually been returned. Other pieces have been added to represent the style and period of that part of the Residence. Some of the greatest artists of their times were used and the Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassicist, and Historicist styles are all represented.

The tour of the Residence is supposed to take 2 hrs. We were there almost twice that long. When you google the history of the Residence and see the pictures of what it looked like after WW II next to a picture of the same space now, you realize how much was lost to war and can treasure the resilience of people. It is amazing what humanity can create, how much it can destroy, but also appreciate the spirit of humanity that treasures art enough to recreate that same art.

The Antiquarium is the oldest room, built from 1568 to 1571 by Duke Albrecht V for his collection of antiques sculptures. His successors transformed it into a hall for festivities and banquets from 1581 to 1600.

There is a series of rooms called the Rich Rooms which were furnished in the 1730's. The state apartments were meant to impress and substantiate Karl Albrecht's claim to the throne.

Left is the Green Gallery. Right is part of the Charlotte Rooms.

This is part of the Charlotte Rooms, also.

The Rich Chapel was constructed in 1607 and was the private place of worship for Duke Maximilian I and his wife. It held his collection of precious relics (bodily remains of saints) and was the spiritual center of the Baroque Residence. Therefore, the space was lavishly decorated to reflect it's importance.














There was also a "regular" chapel for everyone else. This was the Court Chapel, built in the beginning of the 17th century by Maximilian I. It was dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

The Treasury contained part of the collection of the monarchy and covered all types of jewels, goldsmith's work, enamels, crystals and ivory.

Last was the Cuvillies Theater. It was built in 1751 - 1755 by Elector Maximilian Joseph III as a court opera house. It was destroyed in WW II and rebuilt from 1945 to 1951. The wood carvings and tier fittings had been removed to safety and are all that survived of the original theater.