Rick Steves Tour: Munich Residenz Tour

Munich Residenz Tour

ORIENTATION

THE TOUR BEGINS

1 Residenz Treasury (Schatzkammer)

Map: Residenz Museum

2 Residenz Museum (Residenzmuseum)

3 Shell Grotto

4 Antiquarium

5 Upper Floor Apartments

6 Room 45

7 The “Long” Route

8 Court Chapel

9 Ornate Rooms

10 Porcelain Cabinet (Room 5) and Ancestral Gallery

11 Cuvilliés Theater

For 500 years, this was the palatial “residence” and seat of power of the ruling Wittelsbach family. It began (1385) as a crude castle with a moat around it. The main building was built from 1550 to 1650, and decorated in Rococo style during the 18th century. The final touch (under Ludwig I) was the grand south facade modeled after Florence’s Pitti Palace. In March 1944, Allied air raids left the Residenz in shambles, so much of what we see today—like much of historic Munich—is a reconstruction.

The vast Residenz complex is divided into three sections: The Residenz Museum is a long hike through 90 lavishly decorated rooms. The Residenz Treasury shows off the Wittelsbach crown jewels. The Cuvilliés Theater is an ornate Rococo opera house. While each has its own admission, I’d just get the combo-ticket and see them all.

ORIENTATION    MAP

Cost: Residenz Museum—€7, Residenz Treasury—€7 (both include essential audioguides), Cuvilliés Theater—€3.50; €11 combo-ticket covers museum and treasury; €13 version covers all three.

Hours: Treasury and museum open daily 9:00-18:00, mid-Oct-mid-March 10:00-17:00; theater generally open Mon-Sat 14:00-18:00, Sun from 9:00, longer hours Aug-mid-Sept; last entry one hour before closing for all three sights.

Information: Tel. 089/290-671, www.residenz-muenchen.de.

Getting There: The complex is located three blocks north of Marienplatz; S-Bahn/U-Bahn: Marienplatz, also U-Bahn: Odeonplatz; tram: Nationaltheater.