Fountain in Grottenhof of the Residenz photographed through a window of the Residenz in Munich.

Electoral Munich

Bisou, bisou with the Sun King

The myth of Ludwig II and his adoration of the French rulers of absolutism are legendary. However, Electress Henriette Adelaide of Savoy brought the splendour of France and Italy to the Munich court even before that in the 17th century. A report.

This glorious era came about thanks to Henriette Adelaide Maria of Savoy, Princess of Savoy-Piedmont. She came from a kingdom that stretched from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean Sea, ruled by her mother, Christine of France. Christine, in turn, was the daughter of the French King Henry IV and Maria de Medici, a powerful female figure from Florence.

Adelaide grew up in the court of Turin with a perfectly harmonious background of dolce vita and savoir vivre: her mother’s main interests were ballet, Parisian styles of painting, and the promotion of French architecture in Italy. She also strove to marry Adelaide to Louis XIV, the Sun King himself, though her efforts were in vain. In the end, her daughter married Ferdinand Maria of Bavaria.

Adelaide and Ferdinand tied the knot in 1650. Before the marriage took place, Ferdinand’s father Maximilian I, Elector of Bavaria, sent a spy to Turin.

Adelaide and Ferdinand tied the knot in 1650. Before the marriage took place, Ferdinand’s father Maximilian I, Elector of Bavaria, sent a spy to Turin to report on his prospective daughter-in-law’s looks: Ferdinando Egartner (alias Aloise Rizzi) told him of Adelaide’s legendary beauty, and it was a done deal. When Maximilian I died just one year later, the 15-year-old Ferdinand became heir to the throne – and Adelaide became Electress of Bavaria.

The Princess journeyed from Turin with an entourage of 336 horses, 350 coaches of luggage and a medium-sized army of servants. The wedding took place on 25 June 1652 in the court chapel. Then a special age began for Munich: a phase of almost megalomaniacal italo-francophile splendour. This was because Adelaide curated the Munich court as a second Turin – in other words, she transformed it into a mini-Versailles.

A phase of almost megalomaniacal italo-francophile splendour. This was because Adelaide curated the Munich court as a second Turin – in other words, she transformed it into a mini-Versailles.

Dazzling parties, high society and an inimitable cultural transfer from France and Italy took hold in Munich. In the Residenz palace, which was still the largest city centre palace in Germany, Adelaide immortalised herself through the Parisian-style renovations she commissioned. She brought High Baroque, the comedy and Italian opera to the Bavarian capital. It was under her auspices that the Theatinerkirche (Theatine Church) and Schloss Nymphenburg (Nymphenburg Palace) came into being, the latter modelled on a Piedmontese hunting lodge with French-style gardens.

Royal Munich

Follow the tracks of the Bavarian Kings through the old town along the splendid boulevards with an official city tour guide of Munich. Read more

She also succeeded in creating a spectacle worthy of the Sun King himself at the Starnberger See (Lake) – or the Würmsee, as it was then known. In honour of the birth of her son and the heir to the throne, Max Emanuel, she commissioned the construction of a huge ship, 29 metres long and over eight metres wide, dripping with over-the-top ornamentation and based on the Doge of Venice’s state barge. This highly ornate vessel was decorated with paintings of dolphins and mermaids. The bucentaur, as it was known, was a floating hunting lodge from which those on board shot at herds of deer driven to the lake especially for the occasion. After party.

Adelaide’s devout Catholicism appears somewhat incongruous with this life of pomp and splendour, but only at first glance – it was an early form of the cosmopolitan glamour she lived out on numerous city trips with Ferdinand and their retinue. The pair had an audience with the Pope in Rome, swore a blood oath in Altötting, built their own Adelaide well in Heilbrunn and founded a highly obscure “Order of the Servants of the Mother of God”, which disappeared into the annals with the death of Adelaide in 1676.

Thanks to Adelaide, Munich is the northernmost city of Italy, the easternmost city of France and the only city in Germany that does not see any contradiction in these titles.

Adelaide died of a chill, which she caught while saving her children, barefoot, from a devastating fire that broke out in the Residenz palace one night, and from which she never recovered However, her legacy is immortal. Thanks to Adelaide, Munich is the northernmost city of Italy, the easternmost city of France and the only city in Germany that does not see any contradiction in these titles.

Also interesting: Castles in and around Munich

 

 

Text: Nansen & Piccard; Photo: Sven Kolb, Redline Enterprises
A man and a woman record a podcast in a laundromat.

Munich Podcasts

A feast for the ears

Many Munich museums and institutions have their own podcast. An overview.

Many Munich museums and institutions have their own podcast. Here we present a few examples that are particularly worth listening to.

A man and two women, one of whom has a small child on her lap, in a sitting position but without a seat in a room lined with red granite.

A sneak preview of Munich's 2024 gallery exhibitions

Hungry for art

You'll definitely want to catch these exhibitions in Munich's museums and galleries in 2024!

From the Old Masters to the new young things: Munich's museums showcase art from all branches and eras. Here are some exhibitions that you'll definitely want to catch in 2024!

A wall with graffiti in Munich.

The writing's on the wall

Get graffitiing!

Munich has long been the cradle of the European graffiti scene. Our author once painted graffiti himself, and today looks back on a quite exceptional piece of work.

Munich has long been the cradle of the European graffiti scene. Our author once painted graffiti himself, and today looks back on a quite exceptional piece of work.

Fountain in Grottenhof of the Residenz photographed through a window of the Residenz in Munich.

Royal Munich

Bisou, Bisou with the Sun King

The story of Ludwig II is a legendary tale: an account of a glamorous time that played out not only in Neuschwanstein, but also directly within the Munich court – the Residenz palace in the city centre.

The story of Ludwig II is a legendary tale: an account of a glamorous time that played out not only in Neuschwanstein, but also directly within the Munich court – the Residenz palace in the city centre.

Neuschwanstein Castle in the surrounding region of Munich.

Hiking guide

Royal wanderlust

Herrenchiemsee, Linderhof, Schachenhaus and Neuschwanstein: Bavaria’s castles and palaces are among the most beautiful in the world.

Herrenchiemsee, Linderhof, Schachenhaus and Neuschwanstein: Bavaria’s castles and palaces are among the most beautiful in the world.

Endless Staircase in Munich.

Art in public spaces

At second glance

Some public art in Munich is unknown even to the locals. We present six works of art that can often only be discovered at second glance.

Some public art in Munich is unknown even to the locals. We present six works of art that can often only be discovered at second glance.

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

Munich's Palace of Justice

Justizpalast Tour

During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

Book now for only 20€ !

During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

Small meeting room of the Neues Rathaus in Munich

New Town Hall Tour

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 €

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

Magistrates, Monachia and magnificent celebrations: explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

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!

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!

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 €!

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

Wort kettle at the Spaten brewery in Munich.

Spaten Brewery Tour

Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

Book now for only 22 €!

Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

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...

A stone jug with the inscription Oktoberfest Munich.

Order now!

Oktoberfest Shop

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

Bag on green background

Vouchers

Give the gift of a special Munich voucher: we also offer vouchers for all our guided tours. Here you can book unique Munich experiences directly online, print them out and give them as a gift voucher to friends or family.

Buy vouchers from 6,50 €

Give the gift of a special Munich voucher: we also offer vouchers for all our guided tours. Here you can book unique Munich experiences directly online, print them out and give them as a gift voucher to friends or family.