When I sent this picture to my friend Katya she asked me if it was my new house. The first I thought about was: “ Oh no, I will die trying to keep it clean”. Obviously, the former rulers of Bavaria who owned The Nymphenburg Palace a long time ago did not care about tidying and spent a pleasant time there, especially in summer.
The palace was commissioned by the electoral couple Ferdinand Maria and Henriette Adelaide of Savoy to the designs of the Italian architect Agostino Barelli in 1664 after the birth of their son Maximilian II Emanuel. The central pavilion was completed in 1675. The palace was gradually expanded and transformed over the years.
The palace, together with its park, is now one of the most famous sights of Munich. The baroque facades comprise an overall width of about 700 meters. Some rooms still show their original baroque decoration while others were later redesigned in rococo or neoclassical style. The palace houses lots of attractions. The most famous of them is The Stone Hall in the central pavilion, with ceiling frescoes by Johann Baptist Zimmermann; Gallery of Beauties of King Ludwig I of Bavaria. On behalf of the king, the court painter Joseph Karl Stieler has portrayed 36 beautiful women from all social classes of Munich.
Of course, I have to say that because of COVID-19 restrictions we weren't lucky to visit the palace itself and we haven’t seen those amazing masterpieces (hope someone who will read this story will be able to do it very very soon). But it is still allowed to walk through the palace park and admire the baroque architecture. The park looks like a true forest, I mean paths don't look artificial, you can meet squirrels and although the park is located in the city, the air seems to be clearer.
We went to the Nymphenburg Palace in the afternoon and the surroundings were full of people. Of course, we bought a cup of Glühwein to warm on that chill day. (Upd. Now it is impossible to buy alcohol due to new Corona regulations but anyway you can buy coffee, tea, and even some takeaway food in the Palace cafe.) It cost something like 4 euros. Pretty expensive? I wouldn’t say so: the Palace is considered as one of the most popular tourist attractions so, in my opinion, it is okay. Additionally, you can take a funny bright straw, I took red-white-red (my internal patriot required it). Also, it is worth noticing that there is a free WC.
If you decide to walk alone you won’t be bored, I promise. As I mentioned above you can meet squirrels as well as lots of different birds. The only thing it is forbidden to feed them.
So Nymphenburg Palace is a good place to go with friends as well as for walking alone. The architectural masterpieces among the pure nature help to feel more relaxed and order thoughts. Thanks Yaroslaw for the last photo and other guys for a great day :)
— Dasha
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