Schloss Nymphenburg is one of Bavaria’s magnificent palaces.
Construction of the palace was begun by Ferdinand Maria, Elector of Bavaria, and he intended it as a gift for his wife, Henriette Adelaide of Savoy, after the birth of their son, the future Maximilian II Emanuel, Elector of Bavaria, in 1662. It was Henriette Adelaide who decided on the designs of Agostino Barelli.
The main building had a roof by 1672, and the construction of two side pavilions was begun in 1674. Henriette Adelaide passed away in 1676 in the palace as construction was still going on. Her son disliked the palace and halted construction. He also had the side pavillions demolished. It wasn’t until 1701 that he once again took an interest in the palace, and construction continued. However, he, too, would not live to see the building completed.
www.schloss-nymphenburg.de
His son, Charles Albert, who later also became Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor, continued the construction. His son, Maximilian III Joseph, also completed several projects in the Nymphenburg Palace complex. He left no heir and was eventually succeeded by Charles Theodore, who was his 12th cousin, once removed in the male line. Charles Theodore also added his own touches. He was succeeded by Maximilian Joseph of the Palatinate-Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld line, who went on to become the first King of Bavaria.
(Photo: Andrea Gruber)
www.schloss-nymphenburg.de
Subsequent monarchs continued to add their own touches. King Ludwig I’s Gallery of Beauties was initially collected and installed at the Munich Residence, but it was installed here after the Residence was damaged during the Second World War.
(Photo: Konrad Rainer)
www.schloss-nymphenburg.de
The palace park also has several constructions, such as the Amalienburg Palace pictured above. This was built between 1734 and 1739 as a hunting lodge for Maria Amalia of Austria, the wife of Charles Albert.
Several other royal women are connected to Schloss Nymphenburg. Princess Alexandra of Bavaria, who had mental health problems, died at the Schloss in 1875. Marie of Prussia gave birth to her eldest son, the future King Ludwig II, at the Schloss in 1845. On 15 April 1891, Louise of Orléans married her second cousin, Prince Alfons of Bavaria, at the Schloss. Duchess Maria Anna Josepha of Bavaria was born there, as were her sisters Maria Antonia of Bavaria and Theresa Benedicta. Princess Sophie of Bavaria, the mother of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria, and her twin sister Maria Anna of Bavaria, were born there as well.
Schloss Nymphenburg is open to the public. However, I had mixed feelings during my visit. There is limited information on site, and I suspect most information will be available on the audio guide, which cost extra. I also showed my Munich Card, which was supposed to give me a discount for the admission ticket but this was ignored. The shop itself had quite a few books and souvenirs but it was mostly focussed on Empress Elisabeth and King Ludwig II. There also did not appear to be anywhere to eat on site, although the site does list two restaurants.
The palace itself is gorgeous as are the grounds. You can easily spent a day here. You should definitely include the Marstallmuseum, which is home to the carriages and the porcelain collection.
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