Munich Residenz

Yup, technically another schloss on the books! Partly original, partly reconstruction (post-WWII) the Residenz was the seat of power for the Wittlesbach dynasty. The official description reads “the Residence Museum presents the art and culture of the Bavarian Court from the Renaissance to Early Baroque, Rococo and Neo-classicism. Precious reliquaries, bronze sculptures and East Asian porcelain are on show.”

The Antiquarium (which was being readied for an event)

Ornate table with scagliola top. Scagliola imitates marble, and is made of selenite (gypsum), glue and natural pigment. We saw extensive use of it at Herrenchiemsee, too, and Jen bought a souvenir necklace reminiscent of it in Berchtesgaden.

And on and on and on… these are the ornate rooms

After three hours in the museum proper, we broke for lunch across the street. Then, it was on to the Treasury, displaying the most precious artifacts and symbols of power.

Dave calls it the Holy Hand Grenade of Bavaria

The blue stone is a replica of the famous Wittlesbach diamond – the original was sold

Last was the theatre, which is still used for concerts. It was lovely.

The real beauty is from in front of the stage

After completing a full museum day, we wandered downtown a bit before ending up at “the most famous tavern in the world,” the Hofbrauhaus. Dave had a litre of the Hofbrauhaus original with käsespatzel, and Jen enjoyed Weisswurst and a pretzel.