Nymphenburg Palace, or Schloss Nymphenburg, has long been a favorite summer residence for the royalty of Bavaria. With its elegant design and beautiful surroundings, it is a little wonder why the kings and queens of old loved it so much.
About The Nymphenburg Palace And Its History
The elegant Nymphenburg Palace was built to commemorate the birth of Max Emanuel in 1662. He was the long-awaited and much anticipated heir to the throne. His parents, Elector Ferdinand Maria and Henriette Adelaide of Savoy had been married ten years earlier.
They enlisted the help of architect Agostino Barelli to design their summer home out in the countryside of Munich. Construction began in 1664 and was just about complete by 1679, which is, rather fittingly, the year the palace’s inspiration, Max Emanuel, began his reign.
Max Emanuel was responsible for the addition of two more pavilions, which would bring Nymphenburg to its present size. His work was interrupted during the Spanish War, when Max Emanuel was off in the battlefields. When he returned in 1715, he had several French artists in tow, ready to finish the work begun by his parents. Max Emanuel’s patronage of these and other local artists helped to make Munich a flourishing center for the arts.
Max Emanuel’s successors would further embellish and improve upon this much-loved summer residence. Most notably, Emperor Charles VII is to thank for one of the most beloved parts of Nymphenburg. It was he who brought the Amalienburg, designed by François de Cuvilliés, to Nymphenburg’s park.
The Amalienburg is a small but wonderfully elegant hunting lodge that some consider to be the supreme example of German Rococo. Elector Maximilian III Joseph improved upon the Great Hall, the ceiling of the Chapel and moved the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory in front of the palace.
In 1741, the Nymphenburg was a place of historical importance, as it hosted the negotiations that resulted in the Treaty of Nymphenburg. This brought an end to the wars between France, Spain and Austria.
Mostly, the palace has known peaceful times. It has long been a favorite summer home for Bavarian royalty, like King Max I Joseph and his son King Ludwig II.
Nymphenburg Palace Highlights And Features
The Gardens
The Nymphenburg gardens are every bit as lovely and elegant as the palace itself. The current incarnation is based on Max Emanuel’s preference. The park is one of the world’s largest city gardens and is bisected by the Nymphenburg Canal and then decorated with various sculptures representing the gods of ancient Greece.
In addition to the two lakes, there are also two large pavilions, the Magdalenenklause faux ruin, the Apollotheater neoclassical temple and the exquisite Amalienburg.
South Pavilion
The south pavilion houses a small dining room that features the Gallery of Beauties, a painting of thirty-six of the most beautiful women in Munich at the time. Within this part, you’ll also visit the birth room of King Ludwig II, later known as the Mad King.
Court Stables
The stables at Nymphenburg are unlike most others you have seen before. The Court Stables are home to a museum of ancient carriages. Many of King Ludwig’s ornamental carriages and sleighs are on display here as well.
Nymphenburg Palace Location And Opening Hours
Nymphenburg Palace is located on the canals of Munich in the region of Upper Bavaria.
If you have a navigation system on board, you can use the address “Schloss Nymphenburg, Eingang 19, 80638 München” for directions. The autobahns A8, A95 or A96 and take the exits to Munich, then follow the signs.
If you are coming by public transport, there are many ways to arrive at Nymphenburg. The palace is fifteen minutes from the city center and the main train station. You can take any of the S-bahn trains (except line 7) to the stop Laim and then catch bus 51 to Schloss Nymphenburg. You can also use Munich’s metro, the U-bahns, line U1, to Rotkreuzplatz. From there, the tram 12 or 17 to the Schloss stop.
Nymphenburg Palace Opening Hours
The Nymphenburg is open daily, except on some holidays. In the months of April to mid-October, hours are from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. In the fall and winter months, you can only visit from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.