Hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to this baroque palace in Munich every year. Nymphenburg Palace ( Schloss Nymphenburg ) is one of the city’s main landmarks and one of the largest royal palaces in Europe. The “Nymph Castle” is a masterpiece of German history and a must-see attraction in Bavaria.
Nymphenburg Palace history
Nymphenburg Palace was built as a summer residence for Wittelsbach in 1664. Its ornate design reflects its origins as a love letter from Electoral Prince Ferdinand Mary to Henriette Adelaide of Savoy after the birth of his long-awaited heir, Maximilian II Emanuel.
Local materials such as Kelheim limestone were used, but the original design came straight from the mind of Italian architect Agostino Barelli. Over time, the palace was expanded with additional pavilions, connecting the gallery wings and stylistic changes as different trends came into vogue. The beloved son Maximilian II Emanuel was responsible for many of the changes, but other people also put their stamp on the palace. In 1716 Joseph Effner completely revised the facade in French Baroque style with pilasters.
Court stables were added in 1719, an Orangery was built in the north in 1758, and the Schlossrondell was built by Max Emanuel’s son, Holy Roman Emperor Charles VII Albert.
And it wasn’t just the palace that changed. Maria Antonia (future Electress of Saxony) was born here in 1724 and Maria Anna Josepha (future Margravine of Baden-Baden) was born in the palace in 1734. Charles Albert lived and died here as the Holy Roman Emperor and King Max I Joseph died there. in 1825. His great-grandson, King Ludwig II (of Neuschwanstein fame), was born there in 1845
In 1792, Elector Charles Theodor opened the grounds to the public and, for the first time, ordinary people were able to admire the magnificent scenery. That tradition continues today. Rooms display their original Baroque décor, while others offer an updated rococo or neoclassical design.
Visiting the palace is also an opportunity to mingle with modern royalty. Nymphenburg Palace remains the home and chancery of the head of the House of Wittelsbach, now Franz, Duke of Bavaria. The Jacobites trace the line of British monarchy from King James II of England to Franz, their great-great-great-great-great-great-grandson. This gives him a possible claim to the British throne, although the octogenarian does not pursue this angle.
Nymphenburg Palace main attractions
The Schlossmuseum offers access to the interior of the palace, including the royal apartments, the central pavilion, the north and south galleries, the south pavilion, and the garden pavilions. There is no shortage of magnificent and historically significant sights at Nymphenburg Palace, but you can’t miss these top attractions.
Stone hall
The Steinerner Saal (Stone Hall) is the great hall with three floors. It features impressive ceiling frescoes by Johann Baptist Zimmermann and F. Zimmermann with Helios in his chariot as the protagonist.
Beauty gallery
A small dining room in the Inner South Pavilion houses the Schönheitengalerie (Gallery of Beauties) of King Ludwig I. Court painter Joseph Karl Stieler was tasked with creating 36 portraits of Munich’s most beautiful women. One of the most famous is Lola Montez, the infamous mistress of King Ludwig.
Queen’s bedroom
Queen Caroline’s room features original decor, such as 1815 mahogany furniture, but the real attraction is that this is the room where King Ludwig II was born on August 25, 1845. The boy was named Ludwig to honor his grandfather Ludwig I, who was born the same day. Look for busts of Crown Prince Ludwig and his brother Otto on the desk.
Palace chapel
The tour ends at the North Outer Pavilion, which houses the palace chapel. Here visitors find more fantastic ceiling paintings covering the life of Saint Mary Magdalene.
Museums in Nymphenburg Palace
- Marstallmuseum (Carriage Museum): In the former royal stables in the south wing, the Carriage Museum houses one of the largest coach collections in Europe. It includes the French Rococo coronation coach used for Emperor Charles VII in 1742 along with King Louis II’s carriages and sleighs.
- Porzellanmuseum München – The Bäuml Collection at the Nymphenburg Porcelain Museum exhibits pieces from the 18th to 20th centuries. Founded in 1747, the museum is located above the stable.
- Museum Mensch und Natur (Museum of Man and Nature): This natural history museum is located in the north wing.
- Erwin von Kreibig Museum – A permanent exhibition of the work of this local sculptor is located in the south of Schlossrondell.
Gardens and palace gardens
The 490-acre park that surrounds the palace is the highlight of Nymphenburg Palace. It has undergone a metamorphosis from the Italian garden that started around 1671 to Dominique Girard’s French enchantment in the English style you see today. This English design is by Friedrich Ludwig von Sckell, who also created the English Garden in Munich. Certain elements of the Baroque garden were preserved as the Great Parterre, but much of the garden has been simplified. That does not mean that it is less impressive.
The park’s palaces – Pagodenburg, Badenburg, Magdalenenklause, Amalienburg – dot the landscape and have inspired later German design. The Apollotemple is a neoclassical temple from the 1860s.
Water plays an integral role in the park with cascading waterfalls and shooting geysers. The cast iron pumps that keep the water flowing are wonderful. They have been in operation for more than 200 years and it is the oldest continuous work machine in Europe.
The water theme continues with two lakes on either side of the canal. Visitors can enjoy its peaceful atmosphere in summer by taking a gondola ride (daily 10 to 30 minutes; cost 15 euros per person).
The park is a haven for the people of Munich, as well as for wildlife. Deer, rabbits, foxes, frogs, swans, and dragonflies are plentiful and add to the beauty of Nymphenburg Palace.
Nymphenburg Palace Visitor Information
- Website : schloss-nymphenburg.de/englisch/palace
- Address : Schloß Nymphenburg 1, 80638 Munich
- Telephone : 49 089 179080
- Hours: April to mid-October every day from 9:00 to 18:00; From mid-October to March, every day from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (some buildings are only accessible in summer).
Nymphenburg Palace Tickets and Tours
Tickets: 11.50 euros summer; 8.50 euros winter
This ticket provides entry to the palace, Marstallmuseum, Porzellanmuseum München and park palaces (park palaces are closed in winter). Visitors can purchase discounted tickets to individual attractions.
Audio guide available in German, English, Italian, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese (Mandarin) and Japanese (fee: 3.50 euros).
How to get to Nymphenburg Palace
Schloss Nymphenburg is easily accessible from central Munich, as it is connected by public transport and connected to all major motorways.
Public transport: S-Bahn to “Laim”, then take a bus to “Schloss Nymphenburg”; U-Bahn to “Rotkreuzplatz”, take the tram to “Schloss Nymphenburg”
Driving: Highway A 8 (Stuttgart – Munich); A 96 (Lindau – Munich) exit «Laim»; At 95 (Garmisch – Munich) exit “München-Kreuzhof”; At 9 (Nuremberg – Munich) exit “München-Schwabing”; Following the signs for “Schloss Nymphenburg”. Parking for cars and buses available at the palace. Route planner
