Nymphenburg Palace, Munich: The Tranquility and Romance of German Gardens

In the stereotype, Germany is a "serious and interesting" country, famous for its high-end technology and advanced manufacturing industry, but it also hides fascinating natural scenery, profound cultural heritage, and romantic legends left by princes and generals. In recent years, it has become increasingly popular with tourists from all over the world. Munich, a city in southern Germany, is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist destinations in Germany. It was once the capital of the Kingdom of Bavaria, with a history of nearly a thousand years, and is known as the most magnificent "court culture center" in Germany. Gothic, Baroque, and ancient Roman-style buildings are scattered throughout the city, each telling stories of the past. Among the countless attractions in Munich, Nymphenburg Palace (Schloss Nymphenburg) is particularly eye-catching. It is a magnificent Baroque palace complex, which is not as famous as the Palace of Versailles in France or the Summer Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia, but its artistic achievements and garden environment are no less impressive. Nymphenburg Palace is located in the northwest of Munich, quiet and fragrant, isolated from the world. It was built in the second half of the 17th century, and nearly 400 years of time have made it more charming. It has always been the summer palace of the Bavarian royal family. The palace and courtyard cover an area of more than 200 hectares, making it the largest Baroque palace in Germany and one of the largest in Europe. The exterior of the palace is very German, facing east, with the main building in the middle and the side buildings neatly arranged on both sides, forming a building complex more than 600 meters long. The architectural structure is neat, the shape is simple, and the left and right are symmetrical, with uniform orange-red roofs. It is both magnificent and simple, showing the rigorous and harmonious German style. In front of the main building of the palace, a long artificial canal winds through. The riverbank is shaded by green trees and lush grass, and the air is filled with the fresh scent of grass. The canal is as calm as a mirror, crystal clear, with fish swimming freely at the bottom, and swans and wild ducks floating leisurely on the surface, forming a tranquil and elegant royal landscape. The Chinese translation of "Nymphenburg" is appropriate, as "tranquility" and "fragrance" are its unique features, which are fully reflected in the palace's back garden. Stepping into the palace gate is like entering a "paradise" full of birds, flowers, and greenery. The large flower beds are carefully cultivated and pruned, pleasing to the eye. The garden design retains the characteristics of Baroque gardens and incorporates the styles of Italian, French, and British court gardens. Among the colorful flower clusters, white marble statues stand quietly, perfectly blending art and nature, making it hard to imagine that Germany also has such an elegant and romantic scene. In the center of the back garden, there is a canal similar to the one in the front yard, extending from the flower beds to the end of the forest. Occasionally, a Venetian gondola sails slowly on the river, and tourists can pay to take a boat ride and experience the royal vacation. The gondola has also become a unique artistic landscape in the garden. It is worth mentioning that the large royal garden and exquisite garden of Nymphenburg Palace have always been open to the public for free, except for the entrance to the palace museum and the gondola ride, which require a fee. Therefore, it has become the favorite leisure destination for Munich citizens, where people jog, walk, feed swans, walk dogs, and picnic, showing the beauty and warmth of life.