Sights of Munich

Nymphenburg Palace with Park and Pavilions

Nymphenburg Palace Park
Amalienburg
Badenburg
Pagodenburg
Magdalenenklause 


The baroque palace in the west part of Munich was the summer residence of the Bavarian monarchs. Five generations of Wittelsbach rulers were involved in the construction of this stately ensemble, which houses several outstanding collections.
With its lavishly decorated interior and the famous "Gallery of Beauties" commissioned by Ludwig I, the palace is one of Munich's favorite attractions. Among the highlights are the former bedroom of King Ludwig II and the impressive banquet hall with fine ceiling frescoes by Johann Baptist Zimmermann.

Nymphenburg was originally Ferdinand Maria's present to his wife Henriette Adelaide on the birth of his heir, in 1675. This was the beginning of a splendid baroque creation. The same heir, Maximilian Emanuel, commissioned the construction of symmetrical buildings, that were connected to the central section by galleries. From 1715 on, fired by their monarch's enthusiasm, the craftsmen, hired for the most part from France or Flanders, worked wonders in the expansion of Nymphenburg and the building of Schleißheim Palace.

While you're there, be sure not to miss the Marstallmuseum and the Porcelain Museum, the Museum Mensch und Natur and the Botanical Garden.

Nymphenburg Palace Park

 
The landscaped park with its venerable trees, myriad waterways and secluded pavilions is an ideal place to go exploring.

Amalienburg

 
An exquisite example of rococo at its finest. The circular hall of mirrors creates an ethereal atmosphere in the Bavarian national colors, silver and blue.
The charming pavilion was a present from Elector Karl Albrecht to his wife Amalia, a daughter of Emperor Joseph I
Built by Cuvilliés between 1734 and 1739, the Amalienburg is considered to be the loveliest pleasure pavilion in the European rococo tradition.

Badenburg

 
First heated indoor pool of modern times.

Public bathing scene for the court's enjoyment: the Badenburg was built with this idea in mind. The heated, tiled pool - quite rare for the period - opens onto a hall decorated in stucco marble. Josef Effner built the pavilion in 1719-21. It was later remodeled by Klenze.

Pagodenburg

 
Chinese-style rococo: The most personal and intimate creation of Elector Maximilian Emanuel.

French on the outside, Oriental on the inside: the first of the garden pavilions to be built (Effner, 1716-19) is like a precious jewel, with its two hexagonal drawing rooms and the Chinese cabinet - the monarch's "Chinese luxury" soon became the rage. The octagonal ground floor is covered with 2,000 Dutch Delft tiles. The rooms above are ornamented in black and red lacquer and painted silk and paper tapestries.

Magdalenenklause

 
"Memento mori" of a hedonistic ruler: one of the first artificial ruins in European garden landscaping.

The Hermitage is dedicated to the lovely sinner, Mary Magdalen, whose likeness is reproduced in the paintings and in a stucco statue. The gloominess of the retreat was meant to move the ageing Elector Max Emanuel to self-chastisement. However, the ruler died before the pavilion's dedication in 1728. 

Nymphenburg Palace Schloss- und Gartenverwaltung Nymphenburg Eingang 19 80638 München City map Public transport Website

Contact Tel. +49(0)089/179 08-0 Fax +49(0)089179 08-627  E-Mail sgvnymphenburg@bsv.bayern.de Opening hours Nymphenburg Palace: April - 15th Oktobre 9 am - 6 pm 16th Oktobre - March 10 am - 4 pm Amalienburg, Badenburg, Pagodenburg, Magdalenenklause: April - 15th Oktobre: 9 am - 6 pm 16th Okt. - March: closed

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