Munich - Prince Regent Street Prinzregentenstrasse

Prinzregentenstrasse was the last of Munich's great 19th century streets to be constructed (1891-1912). It is named after the Prince Regent Luitpold, who ruled Bavaria during the incapacity of Ludwig II and the insanity of King Otto. The street was laid out in accordance with the town-planning principles of the day, designed to secure a picturesque effect - with houses set back from the street, curves and sudden widenings so as to achieve variety and surprise.

The Prinzregentenstrasse is in sharp contrast to the Ludwigstrasse, the dead straightness of which was considered dull by turn-of-the-century tastes.

Along Prinzregentenstrasse are a number of very fine buildings, such as the Haus der Kunst, the official residence of the Bavarian prime minister (No. 7), the Schackgalerie (No. 9), the Nationalmuseum (No. 3) and the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs (No. 28).

The road crosses Luitpoldbrücke to the Friedensengel which it makes an island. Climbing the Isar embankment and passing Stuck Villa, it reaches its culmination in Prinzregentenplatz, dominated by the Prinzregententheater.