June 21 - Munich

Today was museum day.  We spent the morning at the Residenz and its many museums.  We started with a tour of the Royal Palace of the Wittelbach Dynasty which started in 1380.  It was modeled after the Medici family's Pitti Place---lots of Italian influences.  The palace is about 130 rooms and housed about 700 people when the royal family was in residence.  Of course, this was their WINTER RESIDENCE (gives it a Trilogy flair don't you think?).  It was mostly destroyed during the war and has been rebuilt. My pictures don't do it justice.

There is a grotto that is made entirely of seashells.  It is huge!

German royality was greatly influenced by Chinese porclein.  Here is a plate where the attention to detail is unbelievable.

The furniture throughout the palace is in most part not original. There are many pieces of furniture with inlaid wood. 

This is the Antiquanrium which is one of the world's greatest rooms in the oldest surviving part of the Residenz.  It was built in 1569 to 1571.

The private chapels of Maximillian I are a number of bones and bodies from different saints and religious people. Within this glass case is a full body.

I found these mosaics incredible.  They are done with inlaid marble.

This is the Cuvillies Theatre built in 1751 to be used only by Royality and other high ranking members of society.  This  theatre is considered Europe's greatest Rococo theater.

More pictures of the threatre.

One of the many courtyards.

Jack is off to the National Museum to see a Nazi War Exhibit.  Won't  have any pictures since I kept the camera.  Sorry folks.

Hope you are enjoying these posts.

Jack and Nancy

Here is one small area of the outside of the Palace