Schloss Nymphenburg

It was a perfect sunny day in Munich so I took the U-Bahn and tram to Schloss Nymphenburg, the former country or summer retreat of the Electors of Bavaria.  Construction of the castle was started by the great builder, Maximilian Emanuel in the 18th century and is a blend of baroque and rococo styles.  There is a strong French influence on the architecture because Max Emanuel spent much time at the French court, some of it in exile after he was on the wrong side at the Battle of Blenheim.

Later extensions and renovations were made by his son Karl Albrecht who later became King Charles VII of Bavaria through his alliance with the Habsburgs in Austria.

Amalienburg - that is some hunting lodge

The palace features large and opulent rooms which are now open to the public.  Self-guided tours are possible in several languages (including English) meaning that it is possible to completed an informative tour at your own pace.  The palace takes its name from the many portraits of beautiful young women that adorn its walls.  In the early days these were "noble" women of the royal entourage but in the time of Karl Albrecht portraits of common women were also made.

Like Versailles and Schönbrunn (Vienna) the palace features extensive gardens.  I enjoyed a long walk through the gardens and visited the Amalienburg (a hunting lodge to make most homes look quite humble), and the Badenberg, an innovative (for its time) bathhouse.  

Badenberg Bath House

Even the souvenir shop was good.  Very few tacky items and many good quality porcelain items and handcrafts.