The Theatinerstrasse

Culture and shopping are closely connected in this triangle. Theatinerstrasse, with its elegant boutiques, is one of the top places to stroll. Coming from Marienplatz, you will notice an unusual façade of bronzed perforated metal plate mid-way on the left-hand side. It harbors the “Fünf Höfe” with the Kunsthalle at its heart, an exhibition forum of the HypoVereinsbank that has become a public attraction thanks to its spectacular art shows.

Opposite, a ramified passageway takes you to Residenzstrasse. The unique backdrop of Max-Joseph-Platz now spreads before you: To the right is Bavaria’s former centralmint with a wonderfully curved front; straight ahead, hidden behind a columned portico is the opera. To the left lies the massive Residenz, the erstwhile seat of the Wittelsbacher dynasty. The façade recalls the Palazzo Pitti in Florence,which indeed served as inspiration for the famous architect Leo von Klenzewhen preparing the Residenz blueprints.

More luxury boutiques await you on Residenzstrasse. Further down, in the shadow of the Residenz, two detours are worth your while: First, there is the “Preysingpalais“ at No. 27 on the corner of Viscardigasse. It was the first Rococo palace built by the renowned architect Josef Effner in 1723. Using stucco on the façade at the time was a novelty. The other detour is diagonally opposite. A passageway leads to one of the most beautiful interior yards of the Residenz, the Brunnenhof, where the legendary “Serenade Concerts” are held, weather permitting.

The Hofgarten

The Hofgarten park, which was laid out in 1613–1617, goes back to the reign of Maximilian I. Especially attractive are the Hofgarten gate and the archway that was added by Leo von Klenze at the beginning of the 19th century in order to create an architectural link from the Residenz to the newly built Ludwigstrasse. The Diana Temple in the center of the garden is assumed to be a work by Heinrich Schön the Elder from the year 1615.

The Residenzstrasse

A little further on, Residenzstrasse opens up onto an unusual plaza, Odeonsplatz. It acts both as an end and a beginning, marking not only the boundary of the Old Town, but also the entrance to the magnificent Ludwigstrasse, which extended the city considerably to the north in the 19th century. The Feldherrnhalle acts as a wonderful link between the Residenz and the Theatinerkirche. Here too, the inspiration came from Florence: this time it was the Loggia dei Lanzi.

Even the baroque Theatinerkirche, the crowning glory of the street bearing its name, exudes a great deal of Italian flair. In fact several Italian architects were entrusted with the artistic design of this court church. Particularly impressive are the barrel vault, the crossing dome, the high altar and the burial vault of the Wittelsbacher dynasty that lies beneath it. The most attractive view of this “Italian“ tableau is from the Hofgarten, which begins to the right behind the archway.

The Lions are loose

For Berlin’s inhabitants, the symbol is a bear – for Munich’s citizens, its a lion. He not only sits in coats of arms, he stands proud on monuments, and now he also runs around streets and squares - so loud and colorfully, that you may ask yourself what else he’s capable of.
Here in the Residenzstrasse, passers by even rub his nose, which is supposed to bring luck.