It is indeed difficult for most of us to comprehend the wealth of some of the world's dynasties. The entire wealth of an empire was in the hands of a single individual to do with as he/she pleased. This is especially true in the cases of long-lasting dynasties. Like the Hapsburg's, the Wittelsbachs were around for centuries, seven to be precise. I mention this only in respect to
Schloss Nymphenburg which was the
summer palace of the Wittelsbach's. Their
winter quarters were at the
Residenz, an even more opulent palace. Ludwig II of Bavaria abandoned further enlargements of Nymphenburg and the Residenz, and opted to build new palaces,
Schloss's Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, and Herrnchiemsee, completely bankrupting the Bavarian treasury. It appears that two palaces were not adequate for "Mad Ludwig" or "Ludwig, the mentally doubtful."
Nymphenburg was commissioned in 1674 and completed a decade later. It was only the center section at first, but during the next 75 years the palace was expanded to include most of the palace grounds of today. As the main chancery of the House of Wittelsbach, it remains as home to
Franz, Duke of Bavaria.
From journal Munich, Germany - Spring 2009