Fürstäbtliche Residenz, Baroque monastic residence complex in Kempten, Germany.
The Fürstäbtliche Residenz stands as Germany's first monumental baroque monastic complex built after the Thirty Years' War, featuring elaborate rococo interiors with intricate stucco work, detailed frescoes, and ornate decorative elements throughout its preserved ceremonial halls and living quarters.
Construction began in 1651 under Prince-Abbot Roman Giel von Gielsberg on the ruins of a destroyed Benedictine monastery founded around 750, with the building completed by 1670 and its sumptuous interior decoration finished between 1732 and 1742.
The residence exemplifies German rococo artistry through its nine visitable rooms decorated by artists from the renowned Wessobrunner School, including the throne room with ceiling frescoes depicting Charlemagne and his wife Hildegard, showcasing the fusion of secular and ecclesiastical power.
Guided tours lasting 30 minutes are offered every 45 minutes from April to October daily, with entrance fees of 4 euros for adults and free admission for visitors under 18 years old, accessible through the Bavarian Palace Administration booking system.
The complex features a terraced baroque garden with a robinia tree planted in the mid-18th century, mosaic basins, and an orangery that now houses the city library, creating an integrated architectural ensemble with the adjacent St. Lorenz Basilica.
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