Bavaria's royal purveyors: tradition and luxury in focus

Bavaria's royal purveyors: tradition and luxury in focus

In Munich, where history is closely interwoven with the traditions of the Kingdom of Bavaria, the former purveyors to the court preserve a piece of the heritage. The Wittelsbach diamond pattern, together with the two majestic lions and the royal crown, are not only symbols, but also trademarks of these companies. 200 years ago, these coats of arms gave shops a very special flair, and to this day you can proudly see the shop windows, awnings and entrances in Munich's old town that bear these heraldic symbols. Loud Stuttgart newspaper The title “Royal Bavarian Purveyor to the Court” signals quality, luxury and a deep-rooted tradition.

The Kingdom of Bavaria, which existed from 1806 to 1918, was brought into being under Elector Maximilian Joseph. It was a time of change and growth when Ludwig I built important buildings and shaped Munich's cultural heritage. An example of this is his marriage to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen in 1810, which led to the first celebration on the now famous Theresienwiese. Ultimately it was King Ludwig III. the last ruling Wittelsbacher, who had to abdicate in 1918 when the Free State of Bavaria was proclaimed.

The important purveyors to the court

The purveyors to the court themselves played an essential role in this story. There were once between 750 and 800 such providers, many of them proud family businesses that have survived for generations. The files of most of these companies burned during World War II, but some survive to this day. The renowned leather goods company Roeckl has been supplying the Bavarian royals since 1839 and is also known for its high-quality kid gloves. Dallmayr is another traditional company that not only supplies the Bayerischer Hof, but also 14 other customers with exquisite food.

Another old house is the Lentner bookstore, which has existed since 1698 and has acted as a purveyor to the court since 1897. The Brückner Perfumery also has its place in this illustrious list and has existed since 1893. It is clear: purveyors to the court not only have to offer high-quality goods, but also have to display an impeccable appearance in order to receive this esteemed title.

Tradition in downtown Munich

In Munich city center you can still find many of the former purveyors to the court, where a shopping spree is really worth it. Whether in Café Luitpold, which has Viennese charm, or the historic Hofbräuhaus, which was founded in 1589 to supply the court with beer - anyone who walks here feels like they have been transported to another time. These traditional shops are a true piece of living cultural history.

However, not all purveyors to the court are from Munich itself. Suppliers from the surrounding area and abroad also had the privilege of being honored with the title. So anyone looking for the roots of these venerable traditions will find numerous places to go in Munich and the surrounding area.

A look back at this special connection between the purveyors to the court and the Bavarian royal family shows us the importance of quality and tradition. The title itself is a symbol of excellence and the desire to maintain the highest standards across generations.