The largest renaissance hall north of the Alps was added to the palace between 1568 and 1571. This “Antiquarium” (Hall of Antiquities) was constructed to house Duke Albert V’s many collections. Nearly three hundred years later (1832), an equally large (820 feet long) Banqueting Hall was added to the north section of the pslace. While primarily designed for State dinners, this area also housed a number of royal reception rooms, as well as a Throne room.
Two years after the 1918 revolution, during which the monarchy was deposed, the Residenz Palace was turned into a public museum. Allied bombing during World War II severely damaged the palace, requiring nearly 40 years to renovate it back to its original opulence.
Today, the Residenz (just a couple of blocks from Marienplatz Square) is one of the most important museums in Europe.
We started the day with plans to just explore the city, not anticipating finding this palace. In fact, from the exterior, it appeared to be a rather non-descript building (at least to us). When we happened to meet an American family spending their European vacation in Munich, they told us of their visit to this extraordinary structure. Intrigued by their enthusiasm for the “Residenz,” Lori and I felt we had to explore this home of the Bavarian monarchy. It is no exaggeration to say that it took us two full days to take in all that there is to see in this complex. What a wonderful experience and could have easily been missed (as the only indication of its purpose was a small plaque, in German, on the wall).