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Nymphenburg Palace

Bathroom of King Maximilian II

King Maximilian II of Bavaria (r. 1848-64) had the marble bathroom, a rare example of court bathing culture, installed in 1850/51 under the direction of his court architect Leo von Klenze. It was directly connected with the living and reception rooms that he used.

The king wanted ‘nothing luxurious’. Nevertheless, the room is of a highly representative design. The walls are clad to the ceiling with gleaming blue stucco marble, the ceiling is decorated with gilded stucco-work and the floor is tiled with marble.

The 6.5-square-metre bathing pool, which is completely clad with red marble, is set into the floor and holds around 12.000 litres. Marble steps with bronze balustrades lead down into the 1.5-metre-deep pool.

Maximilian moved into Nymphenburg together with his wife Marie of Prussia when he was still crown prince. In order to be able to use the summer palace the whole year round, in 1850 Maximilian had an ultra-modern warm air heating system installed. This also heated the bathroom, where hot and cold running water was piped into the pool.

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