The Old Palace is the point of origin of the extensive palace complex in Schleissheim. Duke Wilhelm V of Bavaria (r. 1579-1598) purchased several farm properties starting in 1595, including nine hermitages and chapels, and extended them from 1598 to 1600 by adding a modest manor house. Starting in 1617, Duke Maximilian I (r. 1598-1651) replaced his father’s hermitage with an ambitious new building modelled on the modern Upper Italian villa architecture of the late Renaissance.

During the Second World War, the Old Palace with its splendid interior decoration was severely damaged. Rebuilt in 1971-1972, it now hosts two branches of the Bavarian National Museum:

 

Gertrud Weinhold Ecumenical Collection "The religious year and its festivals"

The museum has a permanent exhibition comprising over 6,000 items illustrating religious culture round the world and ranging from images used in religious festivals to private expressions of faith. They were collected and arranged by the Berlin patron and honorary professor Gertrud Weinhold (1899-1992), and were left to Bavaria on her death.

 

East and West Prussia Collection "Es war ein Land …" ("There once was a land …")

This collection describes East and West Prussia before the German population was driven out and serves as a reminder of the history, culture and fate of this area. It focuses primarily on the particular characteristics of the landscape and the people and the significance of this region for Germany and its european neighbours.