The House of Wittelsbach ruled Bavaria for more than 700 years. The royal family was based in Munich until 1918. Their passion for architecture and art changed the face of the city.

The Residenz Palace is in the center of the city. It is now a museum of court tradition, with a gallery featuring over a 100 portraits of royal ancestors and a Renaissance-era hall of antiquities nearly 70 meters long. The Bavarian kings used the hall for lavish banquets. The palace also has its own theater and expansive gardens.

Nearby is the Old Pinakothek, a gallery featuring the Bavarian state collection of old masters. The Pinakothek of Modern Art is right next door. It's one of Europe's largest museums for modern and contemporary art, architecture and design.

Munich's famous Maximilian street also owes its magnificence to the Bavarian kings. It features a number of stores that were purveyors to the royal family, still a mark of high-quality goods today.

From Visit Germany
Editor: Sue Cox