The Hofgarten was laid out under Duke Maximilian I. north of the Residence between 1613 and 1617, inspired by gardens of the Italian Renaissance. Leo von Klenze added in 1826 the arcades on two sides. The northern wing shows a picture gallery with monochrome Greek landscapes and lyrics of classical poets. The western part houses the famous Café Tambosi where already King Ludwig I. had a cup of coffee. In 1813 Klenze designed the gateway of the Hofgarten to the Odeonsplatz. The history paintings concerning the Royal Family on the right and left hand side of the gate were restored after the heavy demolitions during WWII.
The twelve-sided pavilion in the middle of the totally symmetrical garden is attributed to Heinrich Schön the Elder. The cupola of the temple is crowned by a bronze figure, the Tellus Bavarica by Hubert Gerhart. It is an allegory of the "Bavarian Soil" symbolizing the treasures of the land: deerskin, salt, sheaf of grain and water pot. The original figure from 1594 can be seen at present at the Residence Museum.
At the eastern end of the Hofgarten the Bayerische Staatskanzlei (Bavarian State Chancellery) is located designed by Siegert (1989 - 93). The dome of the former Army Museum which was not destroyed during WWII was incorporated. In front of the outside staircase you can see an equestrian monument to the first Wittelsbach duke of Bavaria, Duke Otto I. The war memorial on the grounds with a bronze copy of The Dead Soldier is dedicated to the 13.000 Munich soldiers who lost their lives in the First World War.
U-Bahn: U3 - U6 to Odeonsplatz
Bus 53 to Odeonsplatz