Monument and residence of the Bavarian Parliament

Maximilianeum: The magnificent building on the Isar River

The Maximilianeum in Munich's Haidhausen district has been the residence of the Bavarian Parliament since 1949 and also a beautiful vantage point over the city.

Adresse und Öffnungszeiten

Max-Planck-Str. 1 , 81675 München

Das Maximilianeum im Herbst
Michael Hofmann

Facts worth knowing about the Maximilianeum

  • Built in 1874, the Maximilianeum forms the end of Maximilianstrasse.
  • A large part of the building was destroyed during World War II and rebuilt by Karl Kergl.
  • Since 1876, the Maximilianeum has housed the student foundation of the same name, which supports particularly gifted students.
  • In addition, the building has been the residence of the Bavarian parliament since 1949 and offers rooms for changing exhibitions.
  • Those who climb the hill to the Maximilianeum enjoy a great view over Munich - especially during sunsets.

The history of the Maximilianeum

Fahrradfaher radeln Richtung Maximilianeum
Katy Spichal

The building, planned by Friedrich Bürklein and completed in 1874, forms the monumental end of Maximilianstrasse. In 1864, seven years after the start of construction, the Bavarian King Maximilian II ordered a change in the plans. Instead of the planned pointed arches, he ordered neo-Renaissance arches.

The Maximilianeum was built for the purpose of promoting studies and accommodating scholarship holders. Until 1918, it also housed a "historical gallery" and the royal page school.

During World War II, much of the building was destroyed and rebuilt by Karl Kergl before the Bavarian Parliament made the Maximilianeum its home in 1949.

Since 1876, the Maximilianeum has also housed the foundation of the same name for the advancement of particularly gifted Bavarian students. The aim of the foundation is to support talented young men - and since 1980 also women - regardless of their class and financial origins.

Home of Politics in Bavaria

Der Bayerische Landtag hat seinen Sitz im Maximilianeum
Bildarchiv Bayerischer Landtag, Rolf Poss

Since 1949, the Bavarian Parliament (called the "Landtag" in Bavaria) has also had its seat in the Maximilianeum. This is where the plenary chamber and the various rooms for committee meetings are located.

During the annual open house, visitors can tour the halls where Bavarian politics are made. Otherwise, a tour of the entire building is not possible. Those who wish to enter the Maximilianeum beforehand can at least examine changing exhibitions in some of the building's rooms.

Studienstiftung: Scholarships for particularly gifted students

Since 1876, the Maximilianeum has been home to the foundation of the same name for the promotion of particularly gifted Bavarian students. The aim of the foundation is to support talented young men - and since 1980 also women - regardless of their class and financial origins.

Today, however, scholarship holders no longer have to be committed to the civil service as they once were - with the exception of medicine and theology, all courses of study are admitted.

However, admission to the Maximilianeum is still very difficult: no grade on the Abitur certificate may be worse than an A minus.

Great view: Enjoy the evening sky from the Maximilianeum

Die Aussicht vom Maximilianeum bei Nacht
Michael Hofmann

When the evening sun shines on the Maximilianeum, it envelops the magnificent building in beautiful shades of gold and red.

Especially at this time of day, it's worth walking up to the Maximilianeum above the Isar River and enjoying the sunset over the city.

At a glance

Maximilianeum

Max-Planck-Str. 1
81675 München