Schloss Nymphenburg was the primary summer residence of the House of Wittelsbach, the royal dynasty that ruled Bavaria for over 700 years. Commissioned in 1664 by Elector Ferdinand Maria and his wife Henriette Adelaide of Savoy to celebrate the birth of their heir, Maximilian II Emanuel, the palace evolved from a small Italianate villa into a sprawling Baroque masterpiece. It served as a favorite retreat for iconic Bavarian rulers, including King Ludwig II (the "Fairytale King"), who was born there in 1845. The palace is part of a massive complex that includes the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory and several park pavilions like the Amalienburg. Even after the abolition of the monarchy in 1918, the Wittelsbach family retained a right of residence in certain wings of the palace. Today, it remains one of Munich's most popular landmarks, showcasing the "Gallery of Beauties" commissioned by King Ludwig I and the opulent Stone Hall where the Bavarian electors held their most prestigious court celebrations.