Stroll through the Munich Residenz, and feel the pulse of eight centuries of royal history.

As the cobblestones of Munich's Old Town echo softly beneath your feet, a corner turned reveals a stretch of ochre-red walls—the Munich Residenz, unfolding unexpectedly before your eyes. Known by locals as "the key to understanding Munich," this palace holds the secrets of the Wittelsbach dynasty's eight-hundred-year reign in Bavaria. Every brick and stone is imbued with the presence of emperors and princes. In 1385, Otto I of the House of Wittelsbach received the scepter of Bavaria from the Holy Roman Emperor, and the precursor to the Munich Residenz—a medieval castle—rose in the heart of the old city. Over the next five centuries, successive rulers expanded this residence as if crafting a jewel: Maximilian I added elegant Renaissance arcades, Duke Ferdinand Maria honored divine power with a Baroque gilded dome, and Ludwig I inscribed Enlightenment ideals in the Neoclassical galleries. It wasn't until 1918, with the abdication of Ludwig III, that the footsteps of the last monarch faded from the palace corridors. Today, the Residenz complex is interconnected by 10 courtyards, showcasing a transformation of architectural styles, from the 14th-century defensive towers to the 19th-century banquet halls, mirroring the dynasty's genetic blueprint. Pause before the 40 portraits in the Ancestral Gallery, and witness the dialogue between Otto I's armor and Ludwig II's velvet cloak—the former establishing the dynasty, the latter concluding it with a flourish of romanticism. Passing through the Louis XIV-style Hall of Mirrors, you suddenly find yourself in a secluded azure realm—the Shell Grotto. This 17th-century "water temple," originally a place of royal meditation, features twenty thousand Mediterranean shells and corals tessellated on the vaulted ceiling, creating a wave-like pattern. A lapis lazuli-inlaid "Neptune's Chariot" seems to surge from the dome. The most enchanting moment occurs when sunlight filters through the stained glass, illuminating the iridescent shells and gilded reliefs, as if an underwater temple has resurfaced. It is said that during construction, artisans traveled as far as North Africa to gather rare shells. Now, every crevice between the shells whispers tales of ambition and romance from the Age of Exploration. In the Treasury, located beneath the Residenz, the wealth of the Wittelsbach dynasty is displayed in its most unadulterated form, captivating visitors: the 1580 "Bavarian Crown," set with 874 diamonds, including the "Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond," once cherished by Louis XIV; a 17th-century ivory relief of "The Last Supper," with apostles' expressions meticulously detailed despite their minuscule size; and the most enigmatic piece, the "St. George Reliquary," its golden base adorned with enamel depicting the coat of arms of every knight in the dynasty, the keyhole perhaps still bearing Ludwig II's fingerprints. Also worth savoring is the Hall of Antiquities, which houses the dynasty's collection of 250 ancient Greco-Roman sculptures, including the 4th-century BC "Sleeping Hermes," a true treasure. The marble folds capture the breath of the gods, while on the ceiling frescoes, Wittelsbach ancestors stand shoulder to shoulder with mythical heroes—an eternal declaration of the dynasty's divine right. Visiting Tips: Decoding the Hidden Stories of the Residenz Route Suggestion: Enter from the Maximilian Courtyard, ascend the Old Castle Tower for a panoramic view, and then explore in the order of "Historical Buildings - Treasury - Gardens" to avoid missing important exhibition rooms. Tips: Tickets to the Residenz are half-price on Sundays. The authentic "Blue Diamond" in the Treasury is displayed on the first Monday of each month. Remember to check the exhibition information in advance!