Alter Hof, Munich

The Alter Hof (Old Court), located in Munich, was once the imperial residence of Louis IV, who was the Holy Roman Emperor. It served as the primary residence for the Imperial Family for more than 150 years until 1474, when they relocated to the nearby Residenz Royal Palace. Following the first partition of Bavaria in 1255, the Alte Hof became the home of Louis II, the Duke of Bavaria, in the northeastern part of the city. This is where the first permanent imperial residence in the Holy Roman Empire was established under Louis IV, who later became the Holy Roman Emperor.

This complex comprises five wings known as Burgstock, Zwingerstock, Lorenzistock, Pfisterstock, and Brunnenstock. Among these, Burgstock on the west side is particularly picturesque and is notable for being a place where Adolf Hitler is said to have painted. On the north side of the complex, the Saint Lorenz Chapel once held the regalia of the House of Wittelsbach, Bavaria's rulers for over 700 years before being demolished in the 19th century.

Archaeological excavations have revealed that a castle already existed on this site in the 12th century, making it the oldest surviving medieval structure in Munich. Like much of the Old Town, the Alter Hof has undergone several extensions and reconstructions throughout history. Extensive restoration work was done in the 19th century and post-World War II. The western facade displays Neo-Classical style, and the north facade has Neo-Gothic ornamentation.

Today, a portion of the castle is used for local government offices, while the west wing is home to the Vinorant Alter Hof, a popular restaurant and wine cellar. During the summer, the inner courtyard, flanked by Renaissance arcades, often serves as a venue for open-air concerts and theatrical performances.