What you'll hear
A two-hour walk through royal Munich: from the opera house and the Residenz via Odeonsplatz and the Theatinerkirche to the Hofgarten and Maximilianstraße. Seven centuries of Wittelsbach rule — dukes, electors and kings — told through palace courtyards, fountains, churches and monuments. For anyone who wants to understand how the Bavarian capital became a royal one; ideal for a first encounter with the city.
On the way
Max-Joseph-Platz
We are on Max-Joseph-Platz, the grand square of royal Munich: in front of us are the opera house, a wing of the royal palace and the first king himself on his bronze throne. From here we head north along Residenzstraße, past the west façade of the Residenz, to the bronze lions at the palace portals — just a couple of…
Residenz Façade and the Bronze Lions
We are standing by the long west façade of the Residenz, which Elector Maximilian the First turned towards the city. Now let's go through the northern portal into the Kapellenhof and on through the vaulted passage into the Brunnenhof, the Fountain Courtyard. At the two portals of the west façade sit four bronze lions. They were cast before fifteen ninety-six…
The Residenz Courtyards
We are in the heart of the palace: around us is the Fountain Courtyard, and behind its walls lie the oldest halls of the Residenz and its court theatre. From here we return to Residenzstraße and walk north to Odeonsplatz, where an open loggia with three arches awaits us. We are standing in the Brunnenhof, the Fountain Courtyard. At its…
Odeonsplatz and the Feldherrnhalle
We are on Odeonsplatz, where the old town meets the broad avenues of the nineteenth century. The yellow Theatinerkirche is very close, on the west side of the square, right beside the loggia — let's walk over to its façade. In front of us is an open loggia with three tall arches — the Feldherrnhalle, the Field Marshals' Hall. Ludwig…
Theatinerkirche
We are at the Theatinerkirche, a church built in thanks for the birth of an heir. Now let's cross Odeonsplatz, go through the Hofgarten gate and follow the central path to the round pavilion in the middle of the garden. This church was born of a prayer. Electress Henriette Adelaide of Savoy, wife of Elector Ferdinand Maria, was for many…
Hofgarten and the Dianatempel
We are in the Hofgarten, the court garden of the electors, right at its centre. Let's walk along the path to the east, towards the building with the large copper dome at the end of the garden. In the very middle of the garden, where the paths cross, stands a twelve-sided pavilion — the Dianatempel. It was built between sixteen…
Bavarian State Chancellery
Before us is the Bavarian State Chancellery, beneath the dome of the former Army Museum. From here we head south along Franz-Josef-Strauß-Ring, past Marstallplatz, to Maximilianstraße — about eight to ten minutes, and on the way we will hear about the kings of the nineteenth century. On the eastern edge of the garden rises a building with a tall copper…
Maximilianstraße
We are on Maximilianstraße, the royal boulevard of Maximilian the Second. From here we walk west to Max-Joseph-Platz and back along Residenzstraße to the portals of the Residenz, where our route comes to an end. We are on Maximilianstraße — the royal boulevard dreamed up by Maximilian the Second. The king wanted his era to have its own architectural style…
Free Walk
Our route is over, and from here we wander freely. Don't worry about getting lost: the royal quarter is small, and the Residenz, Odeonsplatz and the Hofgarten are always just a few minutes away. While you stroll through these streets, we will tell you a few Munich legends — about a duke of legendary strength, about lucky lions, and about…
