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Munich - The Heritage of Bavaria's Kings

Ksenia SkriptchenkoMarch 6, 2011

The Wittelsbach dynasty ruled Bavaria for more than 700 years. Until 1918, Munich was home to the royal family. Their passion for architecture and for art changed the face of the city. Spacious boulevards, magnificent buildings and squares make Munich a truly royal city that manages to harmonize traditional and modern urban life.

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The royal palace is located in the center of the city. The palace is itself a museum of court tradition, with a gallery featuring over a 100 portraits of royal ancestors, and Renaissance-era hall of antiquities nearly 70 meters in length. The Bavarian kings used the hall for lavish banquets. The palace also has its own theater as well as extensive gardens. Right nearby is the Alte 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 still features a number of stores that are holders of royal warrants, still a trademark for high-quality goods today.