The Bavarian National Museum is one of the largest art and cultural history museums in Europe. It was founded in 1855 by King Maximilian II. In 1990 the museum moved to its present location in a building, whose architecture by Gabriel of Steidl was designed in the style to reflect history. Today it represents one of the major attractions of the Bavarian metropolis. Embark on a journey through various art stages from Late Antiquity to Art Nouveau.
Admire the art at the Bavarian National Museum
The museum collection is mainly from the art collection of the Wittelsbach family, a noble house, of which over the centuries Bavarian lords and kings emerged. The exhibition is spread over three floors. On the ground floor are mainly crafts, weapons and sculptures from the early Middle Ages to the Age of Enlightenment on display. A particular focus is on South German art of picture carvings from the hands of the masters in this area such as Hans Leimberger and Tilman Riemenschneider. Also in the rooms on the ground floor you will find several hundred paintings from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, a remarkable collection of Bavarian earlier paintings.
The upper floors present exhibits from the eras Classicism to Art Nouveau. Tools and games are on display as well as valuable porcelain and glasses. The statuettes and trophies made of ivory are excellent pieces of works from the Baroque period. Outstanding is also the Art Nouveau collection, this includes items of the most important Art Nouveau centres and almost all arts and crafts classes. In the basement, however, you can expect an ethnological exhibition, which shows traditional Bavarian farmhouse rooms and furniture, as well as a world-famous collection of nativity scenes. The carvings from the Alps dating 18th to the 20th century are the most extensive in the world.
Discover the museum programme
In addition to the permanent exhibition, the Bavarian National Museum also presents regular special exhibitions. Guided tours on different topics are offered as well as special hands-on tours for children. Workshops run under the expert guidance covering a variety of artistic techniques. Also lectures on European art and cultural history as well as concerts are part of the museum event calendar.
