Schleissheim Palace Complex

The founding of the Schleißheim palace complex goes back to Duke Wilhelm V of Bavaria (lived 1548-1626), who in 1597 was able to sell the Schwaige Schleißheim, located in a secluded moorland area, with its Margareten chapel to the Freising cathedral chapter for a large sum. Duke Wilhelm V of Bavaria Wilhelm renounced courtly pomp early on, turned to religious meditation, and finally handed over the affairs of state to his energetic son Maximilian prematurely in 1598. The founding of Schleissheim was an expression of his personal tendency towards pious contemplation. 1598-1600 Wilhelm had an estate and a manor house built in the complex surrounded by small hermitage and forest chapels. The duke, far from abolishing the character of the Schwaige as a peasant economy, expanded the use of a stud farm that looked after the princely stables. Schleißheim beer and Schleißheim cheese were produced. Last but not least, the amount of profit made from agriculture prompted Maximilian I ( reigned 1598-1651) to purchase the facility from his father in 1616 in exchange for an annuity.