Landshut Residence

In 1536 Louis X, Duke of Bavaria laid the foundation stone for a new residence in the inner city of Landshut.

[1] Behind the German building, close to the river Isar, the so-called "Italian building" (in German: Italienischer Bau) was constructed from 1537 to 1543 in Italian Renaissance style with a spacious courtyard and the palace chapel.

It was modeled in particular after the Palazzo Te in Mantua, and was the first Italian style palace erected north of the Alps.

The paintings in the rooms were created by the Germans Hermanus Posthumus, Hans Bocksberger the Elder and Ludwig Refinger, while the stucco was done by Italian artists.

When Count William of Birkenfeld-Gelnhausen, who became later the first Duke in Bavaria, resided in the palace from 1780 onwards the facade of the German building was altered in French Neo-classical style by Carl Albert von Lespilliez and the so-called "Birkenfeld Rooms" were constructed.