Many palaces in Germany are similar to each other: gloomy, built in the Gothic style, often in need of restoration. Nymphenburg Palace stands out from this row and is more reminiscent of a modern "antique" building than a monument of architecture. It attracts tourists with its history, interior decoration, gardens of incredible beauty, over which landscape designers and a whole detachment of gardeners are working. The palace is considered the most beautiful and largest complex in Europe. This place should be visited by everyone who believes that German classics are gloomy and boring: Nymphenburg will dispel all myths and beliefs!
Everything you need to know about Nymphenburg
Bavarian elector Ferdinand Wittelsbach and his wife Adelaide Henrietta of Savoy lived for ten years waiting for their firstborn. When the long-awaited event happened, the happy young father decided to erect a palace, which had no equal in Bavaria. And so it happened: Nymphenburg Palace became the best not only in the province, but also in the country.
Construction began in 1664 and lasted 13 years. Initially, the palace was more like a fortress and was called "Palace of Entertainment Nymph Fortress." In 1680, Max Emanuel, son of the Elector, was admitted to the reign, in whose honor the construction was started. He hosted in Nymphenburg for 46 years, expanding it to the size that has survived to this day.
Grandson of Max Emmanuel - Karl Albrecht, who followed in the footsteps of his great-grandfather and became elector of Bavaria - turned the castle into a real complex: the palace grounds were expanded, four castles were built, the Nymphenburg front hall was decorated in the Rococo style.
During the Second World War, the palace was severely destroyed - restoration work is still ongoing.
What to see?
- The Gala Hall is the main premises of the palace, where balls and official receptions were held.
- A gallery of beauties created from portraits of the most beautiful girls of Bavaria in the 19th century. The pretenders were selected according to their beauty, and not according to their social status: a portrait of the shoemaker's daughter hangs alongside the portrait of the queen.
- The Crew Museum is a unique collection located in the stable.
- Porcelain Museum, the exhibition of which includes products created at local manufactory.
- Museum "Man and Nature", which includes interactive and multimedia exhibits.
- Interiors of palace chambers and halls.
In addition to the main palace, castles are obligatory for visiting:
- Magdalenenklauze - a one-story building, built for solitary prayer and a relaxing pastime
- Amalienburg - hunting and entertainment area
- Badenburg, built as a royal bath and pool
- Chinese-style pagodenburg.
Interesting Facts
- In the XIX century, at the palace there was an artificially created village of Derfhen, imitating peasant life. Watching the life of the village was a favorite pastime of the local nobility.
- King Ludwig II was born in the castle
- The garden, broken by the palace, was created based on Versailles
- The gallery of beauties includes 36 portraits. One of the exhibits is a portrait of Lola Montes, the king’s mistress and famous adventurer. Her letters with elements of blackmail formed the basis of Arthur Conan Doyle's novel "The Scandal in Bohemia"
- The total area of the palace complex is 200 hectares.
The object belongs to the palaces.
