Munich museums and galleries are impressive and contain some true artistic and cultural treasures. The Kunstareal is the city’s art museum quarter.
Kunstareal
Alte Pinakothek
The Alte Pinakothek, or “Old Picture Gallery” (Barer Straße 27) features some worthwhile gems from the Old Masters. The emphasis here is on European art from the fourteenth through eighteenth centuries. The museum has a large collection from Peter Paul Rubens and two Raphael paintings. The highlight is surely Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Madonna of the Carnation,” the only one of his works that can be found in a German museum.
Neue Pinakothek
The New Picture Gallery (Barer Straße 29) is the museum for the relatively “new” art of the 19th century. There’s another impressive collection on display in this Munich museum. You’ll find all the big-name Impressionists represented: Monet, Manet, Renoir, Cezanne, Degas and Expressionist van Gogh.
Pinakothek der Moderne
Because the “new” museum is not so new any longer, we also have the Modern Picture Gallery — the Pinakothek (Barer Straße 40). It is four museums in one: art, architecture, paper works and design of the twentieth century. Pablo Picasso and Germany’s own Max Beckmann are a few of the high points.
Glyptothek
We’ve covered art from the 14th century through today, so what else is left? Of course, we’ve forgotten the ancient Greek classical period. The Glyptothek (Königsplatz) is here for that purpose. Get your fill of intricate ancient pottery and Greek sculpture here.
More Munich Museums
Deutsches Museum
With so much to see in the Kunstareal, be sure not to overlook the renowned Deutsches Museum (Museumsinsel 1). This Munich museum is massive, and the biggest technology museum in the world! You’ll come across over 25,000 items (which is only a quarter of what they possess.) With too many highlights to mention, don’t miss this extraordinary place.
BMW Museum
A quintessential German museum (Petuelring 130), the BMW Museum offers fun for car enthusiasts as well as architecture lovers. The building is shaped like a huge bowl and features interesting facts about the past, present and future of this famous machine.
The Treasury in the Munich Residenz
Revisit the glory days of the medieval city at the Munich Treasury (Residenzstraße 1 ). Exquisite and priceless objects can be seen in this exhibit, such as the crown of a Bavarian Queen.