Residenzmuseum

Current exhibitions

About the museum

For four centuries, the Munich Residenz was the home and seat of government of the Wittelsbach dynasty. From a small moated castle of the late 14th century, it gradually grew into a sprawling complex with numerous courtyards, expanded and remodeled in every era – from the Renaissance through Baroque and Rococo to the Neoclassicism of King Ludwig I.

After the end of the monarchy, the Residenz opened to the public as a museum in 1920. Since then it has been one of the most important palace museums in Europe. Badly hit in World War II, it was rebuilt over decades; the furnishings, which had been moved to safety, largely returned to their original places.

The tour leads through some 130 rooms, including the Antiquarium, the largest Renaissance hall north of the Alps, the Ancestral Gallery and the Rich Rooms by François Cuvilliés, the Papal Rooms, the Rich Chapel, as well as the Neoclassical royal apartments and the Nibelungen Halls designed by Leo von Klenze.

Furniture, paintings, tapestries, porcelain, clocks, and sculptures are mostly displayed in their original settings. Dedicated collection rooms show East Asian porcelain, reliquaries, and silver, among other things. The Treasury (Schatzkammer) and the Cuvilliés Theater are part of the same complex but require separate tickets.

Highlights

• Antiquarium – the largest Renaissance hall north of the Alps
• Ancestral Gallery and Rich Rooms in the Rococo style by François Cuvilliés
• Grotto Court with shell grotto
• Rich Chapel and Reliquary Chamber
• Königsbau with Klenze's state apartments and Nibelungen Halls

Permanent exhibitions

• Rundgang durch die Prunkräume der Residenz – Some 130 rooms, from the Antiquarium to the royal apartments, with furniture, paintings, tapestries, and decorative arts in their historic setting.
• Königszeit – Umbruchzeit: Max I. Joseph – Newly designed theme room (Room 100) on Bavaria's first royal couple, with furniture, paintings, and decorative arts, and on changes in courtly domestic life.

Founded

1920

Operated by

Bayerische Verwaltung der staatlichen Schlösser, Gärten und Seen

Admission & discounts

Single tickets: Treasury €10 (reduced €9), Cuvilliés Theater €5 (reduced €4). Audio guide included in admission. Online tickets cannot be exchanged; original proof of eligibility for discounts must be shown on site. The general fee regulations of the Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung (Bavarian Palace Administration) apply.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: not available
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Most of the tour (including the Ancestral Gallery, Grotto Court, Imperial Hall, Rich Rooms, and Papal Rooms) can be reached via two elevators; the Nibelungen Halls and Treasury are not wheelchair-accessible. The Antiquarium can only be viewed from the dais. The accessible restroom in the Residenzmuseum is currently unavailable due to construction work (two are available in the Cuvilliés Theater). Four accessible parking spaces on Maximilianstraße opposite No. 2. Bronze tactile model at Max-Joseph-Platz; films in sign language with subtitles. No induction loop. Free wheelchair-accessible buggies are provided instead of strollers.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Kids’ birthday parties

Themed tours and events for children, teenagers and families; child-friendly tours can also be booked for children's birthday parties. Personal strollers are not allowed in the exhibition rooms; free loaner strollers are available.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Coat check
• Wi-Fi

No café in the museum, dining options in the surrounding area. Free supervised coat check; larger bags and backpacks must be checked. Wi-Fi in the Antiquarium, in the Allerheiligen-Hofkirche, in the Kaisersaal and Max-Joseph-Saal.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Spaces available for rent include the Herkulessaal, Allerheiligen-Hofkirche, Max-Joseph-Saal, Cuvilliés Theater, Brunnenhof, Alte Hofkapelle, Comitéhof, Einsäulensaal, and the Bronze Halls; details from the Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung.

Plan your visit