Alter Hof

The Alte Hof (Old Court) in Munich's Old Town is one of the city's oldest and most historically significant complexes. Founded as a ducal city castle in the late 12th century, it served from the 13th century as the residence of the Wittelsbach dukes of Upper Bavaria and later of the entire territory. Emperor Louis the Bavarian also used the complex as his permanent seat before the residence was finally moved to the Neue Veste in the 16th century. The complex consists of several historic sections, including the Burgstock, the Zwingerstock, the Lorenzistock, the Pfisterstock, and the Brunnenstock. An archway on the north side connects the courtyard to the Alte Münze (Old Mint), which once served as an art chamber and royal stables.

Inside the complex, you can visit the "Münchner Kaiserburg" exhibition in the eastern Burgstock. It is housed in a Gothic cellar whose vaulting dates from the second half of the 15th century, and it is open on weekdays and Saturdays with free admission. One architectural highlight is the Gothic oriel on the western Burgstock, known locally as the Affenturm (Monkey Tower). Two rows of coats of arms from the Wittelsbach family tree are mounted on this oriel, probably dating back to Duke Siegmund. Inside the complex you will also find remnants of an important cycle of paintings depicting the dukes' ancestors; parts of these artworks can now be seen in the Bavarian National Museum.

After it ceased to be a residence, the Alte Hof served for a long time as the administrative seat of important authorities such as the Hofkammer (court treasury), the court library, and the Bräuamt (brewing office). Partially destroyed in World War II, the complex was provisionally rebuilt in the 1950s. A comprehensive renovation followed later, in which the especially valuable Burgstock and Zwingerstock buildings were restored in accordance with historic preservation standards. The northern and eastern wings were demolished and rebuilt in 2001, a move that sparked public controversy. Today the western section on Dienerstraße houses a department store, while the eastern section on Sparkassenstraße houses a post office branch. The entire complex is protected as an architectural monument and archaeological site, and bears witness to Munich's rich history as an imperial and ducal residence city.