Alte Pinakothek, Munich

Alte Pinakothek, Munich

Commissioned by Ludwig I and inaugurated in 1836, the Alte Pinakothek is one of the oldest art museums in the world.

Commissioned by Ludwig I and inaugurated in 1836, the Alte Pinakothek is one of the oldest art museums in the world. It houses an important collection of 14th to 18th century European painting, built around the assembly of rulers from the house of Wittelsbach since Wilhelm IV. Sprawling linearly in an east-west direction, the building was originally designed by Leo von Klenze with a neo-Renaissance façade, and renovated to designs by Hans Döllgast post World War II damages.

It displays over 800 paintings from the Middle Ages to the end of the Rococo period, with the collection of Early Italian, Old German, Old Dutch and Flemish paintings being ranked as one of the most important in the world. The ground floor displays Old German and Flemish paintings, while the top floor has the rest. It is home to one of the largest Rubens collections in the world, showcasing 'The Fall of the Damned', 'The Great Last Judgement', 'Robbery of the Daughters of Leucippus', and 'Rubens and Isabella Brant in the Honeysuckle Bower'. There is a good Abrecht Durer collection with 'Self Portrait' and 'Four Apostles'. Other highlights include Raphael's 'Canigiani Holy Family', Bruegel's 'Schlaraffenland', Boucher's 'Portrait of Madame de Pompadour', and Poussin's 'Midas and Bacchus'.

Admission is €4.00 except Sundays when it is €1.00. Audio guide in German, English, French, Italian or Spanish costs extra on Sunday, and is included in the price for other days. A Day Pass with admission to other Kunstareal museums included is €12.00. Reduced admission is €2.00. Free admission under 18 years of age. Some of the rooms are under renovation till 2018, so check the website before going.