A couple is walking arm in arm through the Alte Pinakothek in Munich and is looking at paintings.

Alte Pinakothek

Just great art

A world-class gallery: the Alte Pinakothek (Old Pinakothek) in Munich is home to an outstanding collection of European paintings, stretching from the 14th to the 18th century.

Many of the 700 pieces on display represent high points in the history of art, including Albrecht Dürer’s epochal “Self-Portrait at Twenty-Eight Years Old Wearing a Coat with Fur Collar” from 1500. As the owner of the painting “Madonna of the Carnation” (which was painted in around 1473), the Alte Pinakothek is the only German museum to have its very own Leonardo da Vinci.

Visitors can also see pieces by Raphael, Titian, El Greco, Rubens, Rembrandt and Boucher.  Albert Altdorfer’s painting “The Battle of Alexander at Issus”, which is on show in the Pinakothek, is one of the first paintings to come from the Wittelsbach family’s original collection.

The Alte Pinakothek also houses the largest collection of Max Beckman paintings outside the USA.

Munich can thank art-connoisseur King Ludwig I for the construction of the museum. The monarch wanted to make his royal treasure trove accessible to the public and commissioned court architect Leo Von Klenze to build the museum at the start of the 1820s. The Pinakothek was then opened in 1836, at which point it was the largest museum in the world.

The Pinakothek suffered heavy damage during the Second World War. During the renovations, the new architect Hans Döllgast replaced the missing façade with unrendered brick work. This means that the “wounds” inflicted by the war are still visible to visitors today.

Please be advised that a selection of masterpieces of 19th-century art of the Neue Pinakothek (closed due to renovation) will be shown on the groundfloor of the Alte Pinakothek (East Wing) from the summer of 2019 onwards.

The artworks from Alte Pinakothek can also be experienced digitally: The online collection contains 25,000 works of art. Visitors can view all paintings, sculptures and drawings, sorted by category and epoch.

Good to know: Munich Card holders are entitled to a reduced admission fee. If one owns the Munich City Pass, the entrance is free of charge. No matter which card you choose, the public transport is included.

www.pinakotheken.de

 

Also of interest: plan ahead now – see the official city portal muenchen.de for current cultural highlights and a comprehensive calendar of events.

 

 

Photo: Christian Kasper
A photo of the inscription "Deutsches Museum" at the entrance to the museum in Munich.

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A couple is walking arm in arm through the Alte Pinakothek in Munich and is looking at paintings.

Alte Pinakothek

A world-class gallery: the Alte Pinakothek in Munich is home to an outstanding collection of European paintings.

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View in the direction of Odeonsplatz in Munich with the Kunsthalle München in the foreground

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The main portal of the Ohel Jakob Synagogue at the Jewish centre in Munich.

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Colourful facade of the Museum Brandhorst in Munich.

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The equestrian statue of Prince Regent Luitpold in front of the Bayerische Nationalmuseum in Munich early in the evening.

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The exterior façade of the Sudeten German Museum in Munich.

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Curator Judith Csiki in front of the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich.

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Endless Staircase in Munich.

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Munich Card & City Pass

Discover Munich in a relaxed and uncomplicated way: discounts for the diverse range of art, culture and leisure activities with our guest cards.

Public transport is included

Many discounts with the Card, many things for free with the Pass.

Online or at the tourist information offices

Small meeting room of the Neues Rathaus in Munich

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Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Book now from 20 €

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Exterior view of the Hofbräuhaus Munich at dusk.

Hofbräuhaus Tour

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Book for 28€, Mass beer included!

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

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Towers at Marienplatz in Munich

Old Town Tour

The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

Book now for 18 €!

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Book now for only 95 €!

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Wort kettle at the Spaten brewery in Munich.

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Book now for only 22 €!

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A woman with varnished fingernails holds a gift with the inscription "simply Munich".

Vouchers

Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

Buy vouchers from 6,50 €

Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

Panoramic view of the Neues Rathaus in Munich with the Frauenkirche in the background.

Visit of the New Town Hall Balcony

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Book now for only 6,50 €!

Join us on the famous balcony of the New Town Hall, where FC Bayern has celebrated a triumph many times - and enjoy the beautiful view over Marienplatz.