A Jacobite Gazetteer - Bavaria

This palace, located in a western suburb of the city, was formerly the Wittelsbach summer residence. It has been the site of numerous important events for the Royal Family.

Facade

The palace is made up of a five major pavilions connected by galleries. In the middle is the large central pavilion which contains the Great Hall ("Steinerer Saal"; number 1 on plan); this room is used by the Royal Family for major receptions. In front of the central pavilion is the balcony where the Royal Family appear for the public. On each side of the central pavilion are two other smaller square pavilions where the Royal Family have their apartments.

The first floor of the central pavilion and the first southern pavilion are open to the public. The southern pavilion contains the "Queen's Bedroom" (number 20 on plan). From 1954 to 1959 Princess Editha (daughter of King Rupert) lived in this room.

A number of members of the Royal Family were born in the palace: Prince Rudolf (1909; youngest son of King Rupert); four of the children of Prince Francis -- Prince Ludwig (1913), Princess Maria (1914), Princess Adelgunde (1917), and Princess Eleonore (1918); three of the children of Princess Maria, Duchess of Calabria -- Princess Barbara of the Two Sicilies (1902), Princess Lucia of the Two Sicilies (1908), and Princess Urraca of the Two Sicilies (1913)

The palace chapel, dedicated to St. Mary Magdalen, is located in the second north pavilion ("Kapellenstock"; number 21 on plan). The chapel has been used for the wedding ceremonies of a number of members of the Royal Family: Princess Maria and Prince Pedro Henrique of Brazil (1937); Princess Irmingard and Prince Ludwig (1950); Princess Eleonore and Count Konstantin of Waldburg-Zeil (1951); Princess Gabriele and the Duke of Croy (1953); Princess Marie-Charlotte and the Prince of Quadt (1955); Princess Marie-Gabrielle and the Prince of Waldburg-Zeil (1957).

A number of other celebrations have also taken place at the palace: the ball to celebrate the engagement of Princess Sophie to the Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein (1993); the 90th birthday of King Albert (1995) when he appeared on the balcony to greet the public; the 70th birthday of King Francis II (2003) when he also appeared on the balcony to greet the public.

Today the palace is the official residence of King Francis. His Chancery is located in the long low building just to the north of the second north pavilion ("Kapellenstock").

The palace is open to the public from April 1 to October 15 daily 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.; from October 16 to March 31 daily 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (entrance fee € 3,50).

Telephone: 089.179080.