The Antiquarium is the oldest surviving room in the Residenz, built between 1568 and 1571.
The Schatzkammer (Treasury) houses the prayer book of Emperor Charles the Bald, dating back to 860 AD.
The palace complex consists of ten courtyards and three main structural groups: the Königsbau, the Alte Residenz, and the Festsaalbau.
The museum contains an extensive collection of East Asian porcelain, including rare pieces from the Ming Dynasty.
The Cuvilliés Theatre was dismantled before the 1944 bombing raids, allowing for its precise reconstruction post-war.
The Grottenhof courtyard features a bronze Perseus fountain based on the original by Benvenuto Cellini.
The Residenz Museum serves as the former city palace of the Wittelsbach dynasty, which ruled Bavaria from 1508 to 1918. It is one of the largest interior room complexes in Europe, featuring over 130 public display rooms. The museum layout encompasses the Antiquarium, a 16th-century Renaissance hall designed to house antique sculptures. Key sections include the Treasury, containing royal regalia and crown jewels, and the Cuvilliés Theatre, a Rococo masterpiece. The architecture spans several centuries, reflecting styles from the Renaissance and Baroque to Neoclassicism. Visitors can explore the ancestral gallery, private royal apartments, and extensive porcelain collections. Significant portions of the palace were destroyed during World War II and underwent comprehensive reconstruction. The site now functions as one of Europe's most significant decorative art museums.
The central aisle of the Antiquarium, framed by the rhythmic placement of marble busts and Renaissance frescoes.
Use the free audio guide provided at the entrance to navigate the extensive room numbering.
Check the separate entrance requirements for the Cuvilliés Theatre as it may operate on a different schedule than the main museum.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the circuit through the palace rooms is lengthy.
Attempting to see the entire complex in under two hours, as the scale of the palace is physically exhausting.
Closed on most major public holidays.
Large bags and backpacks must be stored in lockers; photography is permitted for private use without flash or tripods.
