The Enchanted Palace
Once upon a time, in the eighth century, one of the world’s most magnificent palaces began taking shape – the Palace of St Emmeram in Germany. After taking centuries to construct, the transformation of the palace was completed in 1816.
Artist Jeff Koons leaves a thank-you doodle in Princess Gloria’s guest book.
The complex now comprises a cloister, a baroque hall of mirrors, a library, a brewery, the tombs of emperors and saints and the offices of the Thurn und Taxis estates – the current residents since the late 1700s and the family who, in the 16th century, founded the postal system we know and use today.
Princess Gloria’s colourful drawing room is filled with rare design pieces.
Comprising over 500 rooms, each part of the palace is imbued with its past and present inhabitants, but it is the current resident, Princess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis, who has breathed new life into the palace.
Clockwise from left: With its vast collection of rare books, historic manuscripts, and beautiful frescoes by Cosmas Damian Asam, the library at Palace St Emmeram is a sight to behold. Dating from 1787, the impressive library is just one of many exquisite rooms. The bathroom of Prince Albert I with family photographs and paintings by his children. One of Princess Gloria’s many private rooms with an artwork by George Condo.
Her rooms are lavishly decorated but contemporary and feature portraits by Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol, Keith Haring – who she met at Andy Warhol’s factory and whose works were her first art acquisitions – Jean-Michel Basquiat, alongside colourful pieces of modern furniture. It represents a juxtaposition Princess Gloria is trying to achieve – to animate the grandiose past of the palace.
House Of Thurn Und Taxis by Princess Gloria Thurn und Taxis and Todd Eberle (Rizzoli, £55).
Artist Jeff Koons leaves a thank-you doodle in Princess Gloria’s guest book.The complex now comprises a cloister, a baroque hall of mirrors, a library, a brewery, the tombs of emperors and saints and the offices of the Thurn und Taxis estates – the current residents since the late 1700s and the family who, in the 16th century, founded the postal system we know and use today.
Princess Gloria’s colourful drawing room is filled with rare design pieces.Comprising over 500 rooms, each part of the palace is imbued with its past and present inhabitants, but it is the current resident, Princess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis, who has breathed new life into the palace.
Clockwise from left: With its vast collection of rare books, historic manuscripts, and beautiful frescoes by Cosmas Damian Asam, the library at Palace St Emmeram is a sight to behold. Dating from 1787, the impressive library is just one of many exquisite rooms. The bathroom of Prince Albert I with family photographs and paintings by his children. One of Princess Gloria’s many private rooms with an artwork by George Condo.Her rooms are lavishly decorated but contemporary and feature portraits by Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol, Keith Haring – who she met at Andy Warhol’s factory and whose works were her first art acquisitions – Jean-Michel Basquiat, alongside colourful pieces of modern furniture. It represents a juxtaposition Princess Gloria is trying to achieve – to animate the grandiose past of the palace.
House Of Thurn Und Taxis by Princess Gloria Thurn und Taxis and Todd Eberle (Rizzoli, £55).