The Thurn und Taxis family established and operated the first reliable postal network across the Holy Roman Empire, beginning in the 16th century.
The carriage museum holds one of the world's most significant collections of historical coaches and sleighs.
The palace library contains over 200,000 volumes, reflecting the family's long-standing influence on European communication and literature.
The monastery was founded in the 8th century and served as the resting place for early Bavarian rulers and saints.
The family moved into the monastery buildings in 1812 after the secularization of the monastery during the Napoleonic era.
Schloss St. Emmeram is the ancestral residence of the Princes of Thurn und Taxis, situated within the repurposed complex of a former Benedictine monastery. The site functions as both a private home for the princely family and a public museum. The interiors showcase Rococo, Classicist, and Neo-Renaissance styles, housing a significant collection of porcelain, tapestries, and ancestral weaponry. The palace complex incorporates the medieval cloisters and the Romanesque St. Emmeram Basilica. Visitors gain access to the state rooms, including the Throne Room and the ballroom, via guided tours. The Thurn und Taxis family historically operated the European postal system, a legacy reflected in the on-site carriage museum. The estate remains one of the largest privately owned residential properties in Germany. The grounds also host an annual Christmas market and open-air summer concerts.
The main inner courtyard facing the primary palace facade and the entrance to the carriage museum.
Check the official palace website before visiting to confirm if the state rooms are closed for private princely family events.
Guided tours are required to see the private state rooms; allow time to browse the Carriage Museum independently afterward.
Consider visiting during the Christmas market period for access to parts of the inner courtyard otherwise restricted.
Do not attempt to enter private living wings not included in the guided tour; do not assume the entire complex is accessible without a ticket.
The state rooms are occasionally closed for private family functions; the palace holds major events in summer and December that may alter visitor access patterns.
Photography is strictly prohibited inside the state rooms; maintain a quiet demeanor in the sacred areas of the Basilica.
