In 1920 the Residence was converted into a museum and represents today one of the largest museums for interior art in the world. All different art periods from late Renaissance over Baroque and Rococo up to Classicism can be admired in a Morning and Afternoon Tour. The rooms have been decorated by the best artists at that time with furniture, pictures, gobelins, porcelain and precious metal artefacts. The whole Residence comprises about 130 rooms which have been costly restored after heavy damages during the Second World War. They were anxious to reopen some parts of the Residence for the 800-years-celebration of Munich in 1958.
Highlights of the Residence are e.g. the Ahnengalerie (Ancestral Gallery) decorated by Cuvilliés, J.B. Zimmermann and Miroffsky with 121 portraits of members of the Wittelsbach family. Worth a visit is also the Grottenhof (Grotto Court) made of tufa, cristals and shells which was laid out as a Renaissance pleasure-garden under Duke Wilhelm V. Another highlight is the Antiquarium (Hall of Antiquities), designed by Zwitzel in 1567 - 71, the largest Renaissance interior in northern Europe. It has been recently restored and now represents the old glamour again. Famous persons as Charles de Gaulle, Queen Elisabeth and Schah Reza Pahlevo have already slept in the beautiful Reichen Zimmern (Ornate Rooms) of the Rococo period.
Opening hours: daily 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Thu - 8 p.m.
Morning Tour until 12.30 p.m., Afternoon Tour from 12.30 p.m.
U-Bahn: U3, U6 to Marienplatz, U4, U5 to Odeonsplatz
S-Bahn: S1 - S8 to Marienplatz
Tram No. 19 to Max-Joseph-Platz