Nymphenburg Palace: Secrets and beauties revealed in the royal park!

Nymphenburg Palace: Secrets and beauties revealed in the royal park!

Nymphenburg Palace, the magnificent architectural monument in Munich's Neuhausen-Nymphenburg district, enjoys a special reputation as a tourist highlight in Bavaria. Bernhard Graf's film not only highlights the impressive architecture and history of this castle, but also takes a look at the lively atmosphere in the shadow of the baroque buildings. In this landscape, the committed young gardener Gustav Pachtner, together with his colleague Luca Ertl, maintain the extensive park area by removing brittle branches. Their work contributes to the beauty of the park, which once served as the summer residence of the Bavarian electors and kings, as can also be found on Wikipedia.

The history of the castle is as impressive as its architecture. The foundation stone was laid in 1664 at the request of Elector Ferdinand Maria to create a magnificent pleasure palace for his wife Henriette Adelheid of Savoy. Over the years, Nymphenburg was expanded in the Baroque and Rococo styles by well-known architects such as Enrico Zuccalli and Joseph Effner. Today the castle is one of the largest and most important castles in Germany and, with a total area of ​​around 229 hectares, including the impressive 180 hectare park, attracts numerous visitors - 323,575 were counted in 2019 alone, as schloss-nymphenburg.de reports.

Special insights into the castle complex

A particular highlight of the film is the visit by curator Brigitte Langer, who offers viewers secret insights into royal rooms that are not accessible to the public. Such confidences only make the castle's fascination even more vivid. In another sequence, Duke Franz of Bavaria shows his koi breeding, which is a welcome change for many who visit the palace complex.

But Nymphenburg has even more to offer. The encounter with residents such as the wood sculptor Martin Kutzer and the chauffeur Gerhard Naar, who both tell their stories about life and work within the castle complex, gives the film a personal touch. Doris Fuchsberger and Castellan Albrecht Vorherr, who together explore the hidden bunkers from the Nazi era, can also provide particularly interesting information. These aspects invite you to discover the deeper history of the castle and to come to terms with its eventful past.

Threats and conservation initiatives

Unfortunately, the castle is under pressure due to planned new buildings, especially for the Biotopia Museum. The discussion about the threatened demolition of parts of the palace complex led to the palace being placed on the red list of the Association of German Art Historians in 2021. Numerous citizens and experts founded the “Action Group for Nymphenburg Palace” to ensure the preservation of the complex. Their aspirations are a clear sign of how important the history and cultural heritage of this place are for the Munich and national community.

The integration of the various elements, from architecture to history to current use and preservation, impressively shows that Nymphenburg Palace is more than just a tourist destination. It is a living testimony to Bavarian history and culture that should remain accessible to future generations. Visitors are always invited to experience the splendor and hidden stories of the castle - and who knows, maybe you will also meet Gustav Pachtner or the other committed actors who are committed to preserving this special place.