Bavarian State Parliament and Maximilianeum

W E L C O M EB I E N V E N U E

ДОБРО ПОЖАЛОВАТЬ

B E N V E N U T OB I E N V E N I D A

G R Ü S S G O T T

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Dear readers,

Bavaria is well-known and well-liked throughout the world. Its religious and cultural customs, the variety and beauty of its landscapes and a fair measure of clichés play a role in this. Bavaria‘s political self-confidence, which has grown and developed since the early Middle Ages, is the reason for the special position it holds within Germany.

This brochure is an invitation for you to deal with the political Bavaria of today. It will introduce you to the Free State‘s Parliament, the Bayerischer Landtag, one of the oldest parliaments in Europe, with beginnings dating back to the 14th century. And it will take you back into the past by granting you an insight into the history of Parliament, the architecture of its building - the Maximilianeum - and introducing you to the scholarship foundation of the same name.

We appreciate your interest in the Maximilianeum and Bayerischer Landtag!

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Top left: The President of the Landtag with the Vice-Presidents; from left: Reinhold Bocklet, Barbara Stamm, Jörg Rohde, Franz Maget, Peter Meyer, Christine Stahl

Top right: Meeting of the Council of Elders

Bayerischer Landtag (Bavarian State Parliament)

RepresentativesIn its 16th legislative period (2008 - 2013) the State Parliament is com-prised of 187 representatives of the Bavarian people. The representatives represent the people, not just a party or organised group of voters. They are only accountable to their own conscience and are not tied to any mandates. The representatives of the Bayerischer Landtag are elected in a general, equal, direct and secret ballot, in accordance with an im-proved proportional representation by citizens who are eligible to vote, in constituencies and wards. The legislative period is five years.

President of the LandtagThe President manages the day-to-day operations of the Landtag and represents the state with regard to all legal transactions and legal disputes of the Landtag. She exercises domiciliary rights and police powers within the Landtag building. The President heads the meetings of the Landtag‘s plenum and is in charge of the employees of the Landtag Office and the State Data Protection Officer.

Vice-Presidents of the LandtagThe Vice-Presidents provide support to the President in managing the Landtag.

Two important committees: the Steering Committee and the Council of EldersThe Steering Committee consists of the President, the five Vice- Presidents and the secretaries. The secretaries, who are representatives, not stenographers, assist the respective Chairperson of the plenum.

The Steering Committee is a consulting and resolving body with regard to administrative matters of the Landtag. It draws up the Landtag‘s budget, resolves on building measures and the allocation of rooms in the Landtag building and deals with the personnel issues of the Landtag‘s office. The members of the Steering Committee are: Barbara Stamm (CSU), President of the Landtag; Reinhold Bocklet (CSU), 1st Vice- President; Franz Maget (SPD), 2nd Vice-President; Peter Meyer (FW), 3rd Vice-President, secretary; Christine Stahl (B’90/Grüne), 4th Vice-President, secretary; Jörg Rohde (FDP), 5th Vice-President, secretary; Reserl Sem (CSU), secretary; Sylvia Stierstorfer (CSU), secretary; Christa Steiger (SPD), secretary; Walter Nadler (CSU), secretary.

The Council of Elders is a consulting and coordinating body in parliamen-tary matters and determines the date, time and agenda of the plenum. The designation “Council of Elders” has nothing to do with the members‘ physical age. The members of the Council of Elders are: Barbara Stamm (CSU), President of the Landtag; Reinhold Bocklet (CSU), 1st Vice-Presi-dent; Franz Maget (SPD), 2nd Vice-President; Peter Meyer (FW), 3rd Vice-President; Christine Stahl (B’90/Grüne), 4th Vice-President; Jörg Rohde (FDP), 5th Vice-President; Ulrike Gote (B’90/Grüne); Harald Güller (SPD), Petra Guttenberger (CSU); Konrad Kobler (CSU); Bernd Kränzle (CSU); Thomas Kreuzer (CSU); Eduard Nöth (CSU); Georg Schmid (CSU); Tanja Schweiger (FW); Tobias Thalhammer (FDP); Johanna Werner- Muggendorfer (SPD).

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PlenumThe parliamentary work of the representative body for the Bavarian people is concentrated in the representatives‘ plenum. A newly elected Landtag is constituted during its first meeting, in the course of which the plenum elects the President and the Steering Committee.The plenum is held in the plenary room. This is the forum for great debates - this is where final decisions are made. And this is also where bills are read and where consultation on the motions proposed by representatives takes place. The Landtag discusses important issues

in the context of “Aktuelle Stunden” (debates on matters of topical interest), interpellations and emergency motions that are raised directly at the plenary session. In the plenum, the members of the state government must also respond to the questions of the representatives, in the context of ministers‘ question time.The plenum meets publicly, in principle. The stenographic service of the Landtag Office draws up verbatim minutes that are published as official records of proceedings and can also be viewed on the Internet at www.bayern.landtag.de.

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Parliamentary partiesParliamentary parties are groupings within the Bayerischer Landtag, which hold separate rights and duties and are formed by members of the Landtag. The primary responsibility of such parliamentary parties is participation in the political decision-making process. The parties prepare statements, draw up proposals and determine the approach of the parliamentary party in committees and in the plenum.Five parliamentary parties are represented in the 16th Bayerische Landtag (2008 – 2013): the Christlich-Soziale Union (Christian-Social Union = CSU) with 92 representatives, the Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (German Social-Democratic Party = SPD) with 39 representatives, the Freie Wähler-Fraktion (Free Voters = FW) with 20 representatives, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen (Alliance ‚90/The Greens) with 19 representatives and the Freie Demokratische Partei (Free Democratic Party = FDP) with 16 representa-tives. Since June 2009, one member of the Landtag has been without a parliamentary party. CSU and FDP form a coalition and make up the gov-ernment. SPD, FW and Bündnis 90/Die Grünen form the opposition.

CommitteesStanding committees that are responsible for certain specialist areas (e.g. “State Budget and Finance”, “Community and Internal Security”, “Education, Youth and Sports” or “Environment and Health”) are appoint-ed for the duration of the legislative period. The twelve committees are responsible for preparing the negotiations and decisions of the plenum. They also deal with citizens‘ submissions and complaints and generally make the final decisions. In principle, the meetings of the committees are public. The Landtag determines the number of members of a committee. Appointments are based on the size of the parliamentary parties, which are responsible for nominating and recalling their members. The parlia-mentary control committee for the supervision of the activities of the Bavarian State Office for the Protection of the Constitution can be com-pared with a standing committee.

Following an application by one-fifth of its members, the Landtag must form investigation committees.

Apart from that, the Landtag can appoint enquiry committees - in accordance with section 25 a of the Bavarian Constitution (BV) - for the preparation of decisions on comprehensive and important matters that are the responsibility of the Free State of Bavaria.

Results of the Bavarian state election held on 28 September 2008

*since June 2009:FW 20 mandates, 1 mandate independent of a parliamentary party

Top left: the parliamentary party leaders (from left): Sepp Daxenberger and Margarete Bause (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen), Markus Rinderspacher (SPD), Hubert Aiwanger (FW), Thomas Hacker (FDP), Georg Schmid (CSU)

Top right: meeting of the State Budget and Finance Committee

Other

B‘90/Die Grünen19 mandates

SPD39 mandates

FW21 mandates*

FDP16 mandates

CSU 92 mandates

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Left: the members of the Bavarian state government (from left): Dr Ludwig Spaenle (CSU), Georg Fahrenschon (CSU), Siegfried Schneider (CSU), Dr Bernd Weiß (CSU, until 14 October 2009; successor Gerhard Eck, CSU), Emilia Müller (CSU), Markus Sackmann (CSU), Martin Zeil (FDP), Melanie Huml (CSU), MP Horst Seehofer (CSU), Katja Hessel (FDP), Dr Beate Merk (CSU), Dr Marcel Huber (CSU), Christine Haderthauer (CSU), Franz Josef Pschierer (CSU), Joachim Herrmann (CSU), Dr Markus Söder (CSU), Dr Wolfgang Heubisch (FDP), Helmut Brunner (CSU)

Responsibilities of the Bayerischer LandtagThe Bayerischer Landtag fulfills four important tasks:

1. Forming a governmentThe premier of Bavaria (the Minister President or MP) must be elected within one week of the first convention of the Landtag (section 44 subsection 1 of the Bavarian Constitution, BV) and the election shall be decided by a simple majority of the votes cast. The members of the state government are appointed and dismissed by the Minister President. The Minister President requires the Landtag‘s approval for this and with re-gard to the number and delimitation of departmental responsibilities.The state government consists of the Minister President and up to 17 ministers and secretaries of state (section 43 subsection 2 BV).

2. LegislationThe Landtag, the state government and the people (via referendums, section 74 subsections 1 to 4 BV) are entitled to introduce bills (section 71 BV). In the Landtag, legislative proposals are introduced by individual representatives or by parliamentary parties.

Laws are passed by the Landtag - with the exception of referendums, when they are passed by the public. Among the laws the Landtag discusses and has to make decisions on, the budget law holds a special position. It generates the financial basis for the actions of the state gov-ernment and the state administration. The budget volume of the Free State of Bavaria totals approximately EUR 40 billion a year.

In enacting laws, the Bayerischer Landtag is bound by the Bavarian Constitution and the Basic Constitutional Law of the Federal Republic of Germany. These represent the boundaries of the Landtag‘s legislation (see also page 17 ff).

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Parliamentary legislation

Legislative initiativesLegislative proposals are introduced by the Minister President in the name of the state government or introduced by the members of the Landtag (section 71 BV). All bills are submitted to the President of the Landtag and included in the agenda of the plenum.

First readingDuring the first reading in the plenum, only the basic principles of a proposal are addressed. Applications for amendment cannot be made. If the proposal is not rejected, the plenum refers it on to the committee in charge of the matter for further processing.

The committeesUnder the direction of the committee in charge of the matter, the committees asked to provide opinions deal extensively with the legislative proposal and come to decisions that are submitted to the plenum as proposed resolutions.

Second readingAt the earliest, the second reading in the plenum commences on the third day following final consultation with the committee for Constitution, Law, Parliament and Consumer Protection - the final consultative committee. Usually, a general debate takes place. Individual briefing on all provisions of the legislative proposal or

individual voting are only effected if requested by a member of the Landtag or a parliamentary party. Applications for amendment can be submitted until the end of the second reading.

Third readingA third reading is only effected following special request. It is based on the resolutions passed in the second reading.

Final voteAfter the second (and possibly the third) reading is completed, a vote is held on the acceptance or rejection of the legislative proposal. Generally, a law is passed if - in the presence of at least half of the members of the Bayerischer Landtag - it receives the majority of votes cast.

Publication and commencementThe constitutionally established laws are signed by the Minister President and published in the Bavarian Law and Ordinance Gazette within a week. Each law must state the date on which it takes effect (section 76 BV).

Minister President Horst Seehofer issuing a law

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Three-quarters of the income of the Free State is derived from taxes and levies similar to taxes (see diagram) that are shared by the Federal Gov-ernment, the states and the municipalities, in accordance with a complex process. Compared with this income, the income from the state treasury, for example administrative fees or continuous allocations (e.g. from the EU) plays only a minor role. In 2007, the Free State did not enter into any new debts and managed to commence repayment of existing debts. A financial feat that no other German state has accomplished so far. The global financial crisis that has been ongoing since 2008, is, however, currently also putting these consolidation successes at risk in Bavaria.

The most distinguished legislative authority of Parliament: the state budget

The Budget Act holds a prominent position among the laws the Bayerische Landtag advises and makes decisions on. It generates the financial basis of the actions of the state government and administration for a period of two years (biennial budget). The Bavarian Constitution excludes the possibility of a referendum on the state budget. This also demonstrates the particular significance budget law holds for the Bavarian Parliament.

Income of the Free State of Bavaria in the 2009 financial yearBreakdown by type of income

Expenses of the Free State of Bavaria in the 2009 financial yearBreakdown by area

Current as of: April 2009

Income 2009 EUR 41,219.1 million

1 Taxes and levies similar to taxes 30,999.92 Administrative income, income from debt service and similar 2,617.23 Income for ongoing purposes (in particular of the

Federal Government)3,727.5

4 Income for investments, special financing income 3,874.5

Expenses 2009 EUR 41,219.1 million

1 General services (e.g. police and legal protection) 7,682.92 Education, science, research 15,105.73 Social security, social post-war payments, post-war compensation 2,838.14 Health, sports and recreation 1,207.25 Housing, urban development, regional planning and joint

municipal services477.9

6 Nutrition, agriculture and forestry 954.07 Energy and water management, trade, services 784.58 Transport and communication 2,338.79 Commercial enterprises, general immovable property

and capital assets81.8

10 General finance 9,748.3

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3. SupervisionOne of the key responsibilities of the Landtag is the supervision of the state government and the administration that is under its control. For this purpose, the Landtag and its committees can demand the presence of the Minister President and of all members of the state government, in accordance with section 24 BV. On the other hand, the members of the state government and their appointed representatives have access to all meetings of the Landtag and its committees. They must be heard at any time during consultation, even if not scheduled in the agenda. The right to ask questions and the right to information form part of the right of quotation. With regard to budget checking, the state government‘s budget management and accounting are audited.

The right of petition also forms part of the supervisory mechanism. Anyone can turn to the Landtag with regard to requests and complaints. The petitions provide Parliament with an overview of current problems, in particular cases of hardship and borderline cases that arise in the course of law enforcement.

4. Other functions of an election and cooperation in other committeesThe members of the Bavarian Constitutional Court are elected by the Landtag. At the suggestion of the state government, the Landtag elects the President of the Bavarian Supreme Court of Auditors.Even the State Data Protection Officer is elected by the Landtag at the suggestion of the state government. Due to special legal provisions, representatives of the Bayerische Landtag also make up parts of the Broadcasting Council, the Media Council, the State Monuments Council, the State Sports Council, the State Healthcare Council, the Council for Information and Communication Technology, the Board of Trustees of the “Bayerische Landesstiftung” and the Councils of individual correctional facilities.

Number of petitions in past legislative periods

Legislative period

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Bavaria in the Federal Republic of GermanyA political system in line with federal principles meets the needs of regional variety and the aspirations of the states and regions for maximum scope in designing their own policies. German federalism is tried and tested. It formed the basis for the successful development of our political system after 1945 and it promotes the development of the Federal Republic of Germany in the context of the European Union.

Division of legislative responsibilities between the Federal Republic and its individual statesAfter World War II, the individual states were initially formed. These are individual and separate states. The Federal Republic of Germany was founded when the states agreed to the Basic Law. This, the constitution of the Federal Republic, divides the legislative responsibili-ties between the Federal Republic and its individual states (sections 70 - 74 Basic Law). In 2006, the so-called “Föderalismusreform I” (Feder-alism Reform) rendered these responsibilities more transparent and legislation altogether more efficient.

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Exclusive legislation of the federal government Divergent legislationConcurrent legislation

Concurrent legislation (sections 72 and 74 Basic Law)The states may (only) pass laws as long as and to the extent that the federal government does not take action. In so doing, however, a difference must be made between laws with and laws without a so-called “Erforderlichkeitsklaus” (necessity clause). The necessity clause is an additional requirement if the federal legislator is to take action. In the areas addressed in section 72 subsection 2 of the Basic Law, the federal legislator may only take action if a federal law is required in order to generate equal living conditions or to maintain legal and economic uniformity within the area of the Federal Republic. The areas covered by concurrent legislation include:

Without necessity clause

■ Civil law ■ Criminal law ■ Births, deaths and marriages ■ Law of associations ■ Land distribution and

regional development ■ Labour law

With necessity clause

■ Right of residence of foreign citizens

■ Business law ■ Road traffic ■ Food law

Divergent legislation (section 72 subsection 3 Basic Law)In the context of concurrent legislation, states may take legislative action in certain areas if the federal government has already passed laws in these areas, e.g.

■ Hunting ■ Environmental legislation ■ University admission and degrees

The responsibilities are divided up as follows:

Exclusive legislation of the federal government (sections 71 and 73 Basic Law)The Basic Law determines areas in which only the federal government may take action, e.g.

■ Foreign affairs ■ Defence, civil protection ■ Citizenship ■ Passports, registration and ID ■ Currency and monetary system ■ Customs duties and foreign trade ■ Federal railway and air transport ■ Post and telecommunications ■ Generation and use of nuclear power

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Distribution of finances between the federal government and the statesThe appropriate distribution of finances between the federal government and the states is vital with regard to the functioning of the federal system. Both levels have their own sources of taxation. Thus, the federal government receives key consumption taxes such as the energy tax (previously referred to as the mineral oil tax), insurance tax, tobacco tax and most recently also the motor vehicle tax. The states and their public authorities, in particular, receive the monies from land transfer tax, inheritance tax and business tax. On the other hand, the major types of taxes on earnings (payroll and income tax, corporate tax) and sales tax - the so-called combined federal and state taxes - represent the lion‘s share of taxes. They enter the coffers of the federal government, the states and their public authorities at the legally defined rates.

A sophisticated federal fiscal equalisation scheme provides the guarantee of a balanced distribution of finances between the federal government and the states and between the states themselves. This scheme ranges from the distribution of the state share in sales tax or the state fiscal equalisation scheme (see diagram above) through to supplementary allocations by the federal government to under- performing states.

Exclusive legislation by the states Inter-state fiscal adjustment 2008 in EUR million

Exclusive legislation by the statesThe Free State of Bavaria holds the sole right of legislation in the areas not addressed in sections 70-74 of the Basic Law, e.g.

■ Culture ■ Schools and education ■ Local authorities ■ Police ■ Right of assembly ■ Land distribution and regional development ■ Public service law ■ Nursing home law ■ Hotel and catering law ■ Press, broadcasting and new media

From March 2007 to March 2009 a committee consisting of 16 members at federal level (members of the German Bundestag and of the federal government), 16 representatives of the Federal Council (generally the Minister Presidents of the states) and (without the right to vote) four representatives of the various Landtags and three representatives of the public authorities worked toward the modernisation of the financial relationships between the federal government and the individual states (the so-called “Federalism Reform II”). In particular, the committee agreed on a categoric prohibition of the re-accumulation of debt of the states, a debt limit for the federal government and an early warning system in order to spot public households deviating from this plan at an early stage in the event of a crisis.

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A high-ranking foreign delegation visiting the Bayerischer Landtag

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Left: Code of Constitution of the Kingdom of Bavaria dated 26 May 1818 (Bavarian Main State Archive)

Top right: Shrine for the storage of the 1818 Constitution (Bayerischer Landtag)

The Bavarian Parliament

The Bayerischer Landtag is one of Germany‘s oldest Parliaments. It ranks high in the development of European parliamentarianism. Its origins date back to the beginning of the 14th century. The first steps toward the Landtag were taken in Lower Bavaria.

1311The “Ottonische Handfeste”, a charter dated 15 June, marks the beginning of Bavaria‘s parliamentary history. Duke Otto III of Lower Bavaria/Landshut, a member of the Wittelsbach dynasty, urgently required money. For this purpose, the Lower Bavarian aristocracy ap-proved a new tax while, at the same time, having new rights bestowed upon it (e.g. low justice). This document became the basis for the liberties of the three estates of the realm: the aristocracy, the clergy and towns. These estates were also referred to in their entirety as “Landschaft”.

1508At the beginning of the 16th century the duchies of Upper and Lower Bavaria were reunited. Since then, the estates of Bavaria have held meetings together. Their goal - a greater say in matters - was achieved by declaring the “Landesfreiheit” (liberty of the region) in 1508. This was to be the “Basic Law” of the estates‘ Bavarian Constitution for a period of 300 years.

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Top left: Opening of the first assembly of estates of the Kingdom of Bavaria on 4 February 1819 (Munich City Museum)

Top right: King Maximilian II‘s departure from the Landtag building in Prannerstrasse, following the opening of the Landtag on 22 March 1848 (Munich City Museum)

1669The era of royal absolutism drove back the power of the estates. This process had, however, already been initiated during the long regency of the Elector Maximilian I. In 1669, the Old Bavarian “Landtag” convened for the very last time. Until the beginning of the 19th century, only a “standing committee” managed its businesses and affairs. Nominally, the rights and liberties of the estates were retained.

1808When, during the Napoleonic wars, Bavaria was facing bankruptcy, only a modern constitution with a Parliament seemed to be able to guarantee the unity of the state and well-organised finances. Thus, King Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria ratified a constitution that granted certain basic civic rights. The old “Landschaft” was dissolved. The scheduled national representation was not implemented.

1818Finally, King Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria was forced to establish a new constitution. In accordance with the English model, he created a bi-cameral assembly of the estates. The members of the first chamber - that of the Councillors of the Realm - were members by birth, property, office or royal appointment. The second chamber consisted of represent-atives of the aristocracy, clergy, bourgeoisie and peasantry, some directly and some indirectly elected.

1819On 4 February, the King declared the first assembly of the estates as open. The sessions were referred to as “Landtag” (regional assembly). The primary responsibility of this first Landtag was the organisation of state finances and the determination of the budget.

1849The Bavarian representation of the people was officially awarded the name “Landtag”. From 1819 to 1934, the Landtag was located in Prannerstrasse 20 (near Promenadeplatz) in Munich.

1881A secret ballot process was introduced for representatives of the Landtag.

1907The first time the entire chamber of representatives was voted in directly. Only men aged 25 or older were allowed to vote.

1918The end of World War I also saw the end of the constitutional monarchy. In the night of revolution from 7 to 8 November, Bavaria was proclaimed a republic. King Ludwig III fled. Kurt Eisner, the leader of the USPD, became the first Minister President of the new republic (Free State).

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1919On 12 January, the Bavarian people elected the first Landtag that actually represented the sovereignty of the people. The right to vote now also applied to women. When upheavals occurred, in the wake of Kurt Eisner‘s assassination in Munich, the Landtag and government retreated to Bamberg, where a new Bavarian constitution took effect. The new constitution provided for only a single chamber - the Landtag.

1933On 28 and 29 April, the Bayerische Landtag convened for the last time. In Berlin, the National Socialist Party had already assumed power.

1934A “Reichsgesetz” (Law of the Third Reich) of 30 January suspended all state parliaments (Landtag) throughout Germany.

1946Following the end of World War II, the US American military government permitted the formation of democratic parties. On 26 February a “Consultative State Committee” met in the auditorium of Munich University, as the preliminary Parliament. At the time the mili-tary government had appointed Dr Wilhelm Hoegner as Minister Presi-dent. On 30 June, for the first time in Bavaria‘s history, a constituent state assembly was elected. It comprised members of the CSU, SPD, FDP and KPD. With the implementation of the Bavarian Senate, the Bavarian tradition of a bicameral system was continued.On 1 December the people approved the new constitution and, at the same time, elected a new Landtag. As the old Landtag building in Prannerstrasse had been completely destroyed, the newly elected body initially met on the premises of Munich university, in the Brunnenhof theatre at the olde royal palace and in the Sophiensaal hall at the Regional Tax Office.

1949ln January, the Bayerischer Landtag and the Bavarian Senate moved into the renovated Maximilianeum. The “Maximilianeum” and the “Bavarian Parliament” have since become synonymous.

Top left: Meeting of the constituent state assembly in the auditorium of Munich University, 1946

Top right: Celebration on the occasion of the Bavarian Constitution‘s 60th anniversary - held on 30 November 2006 in the auditorium of Munich‘s Ludwig Maximilian University

Bottom left: The Constitution of the Free State of Bavaria; Publication in the Bavarian Law and Ordinance Gazette no. 23, dated 8 December 1946

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The Maximilianeum building

Planning and construction historyIn his list of projects to be completed following his accession to the throne (1848), Crown Prince Maximilian also included (in 1839) an extension of the city to the East by a new road. This project took a more concrete form when (in 1851) the architect Friedrich Bürklein presented King Maximilian II with plans “regarding Munich‘s beautification”, which, for the first time, defined this connection between Munich‘s old city and Haidhausen as a sequence of a street, a “forum”, bridges and “acropo-lises”. The construction of the approximately 1,200 m long “new road” commenced in 1853. As of 1858, the road was officially named “Maximil-ianstrasse”. In 1858, Arnold Zenetti, Head of the Municipal Planning and Building Control Office, had bridges built over the Isar and the Praterinsel. To provide Munich‘s new boulevard with a uniform appear-ance, Maximilian II commissioned architects with designs of sample fa-cades. In their work, the architects had to adhere to a style dictated by the King, the so-called Maximilian style: based on the Anglo-Saxon neo-Gothic style, the best aspects from all historic art eras were to be combined with modern construction techniques.

Top: Pen and ink drawing by Friedrich Bürklein

Right: Friedrich Bürklein

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Porcelain images of King Maximilian II and his wife Marie from the excavated foundation stone

Foundation stone contents: a model of the Patentee series, Germany‘s oldest model locomotive still in existence

The planning of the Maximilianeum was performed in parallel with the planning of Maximilianstraße. In 1850, Maximilian II decided to hold an international architecture competition “relating to the completion of a construction plan for an insitution of higher learning”. Friedrich Bürklein (1813-1872), whose city beautification plan had proven how well he was able to put the monarch‘s ideas into action, was awarded the commis-sion. Maximilian II laid the foundation stone on 5 October 1857. Due to increasing criticism, in February 1864, only briefly before his unexpected death, the King demanded a change of plan, although the centre section of the western part of the building was already more than one storey high. The planned pointed arches had to make way for German- Renaissance arches (see image above), the pilaster strips for an order of columns. Thus, the history of the Maximilaneum‘s planning and construction also marks the beginning and end of the Maximilian style. The building was finally completed in 1874.

Until 1918, the Maximilianeum was not only home to the scholarship foundation (see page 42) and an “historic gallery” but also to the royal school of pages. Until just before the end of World War II, the Munich

art exhibition was held in the gallery of the Maximilianeum, while “Munich‘s highest café”, located in the arcades, offered its guests magnificent panorama views. However, parts of the building were destroyed in airstrikes. It was therefore a godsend that the Bayerischer Landtag took over the Maximilianeum as its headquarters in 1949. This rendered corresponding changes in the previous gallery necessary.

To alleviate the lack of space of the Parliament, wings containing offices and meeting rooms were added to the east in 1958/59 and 1964/65. In 1993 an underground carpark was built. By October 1994, two extension wings were completed. In 1998 the access building opened which led from the underground carpark to the old part of the building. During construction, the historic foundation stone of the Maxi-milianeum was found. The contents of the foundation stone - gold coins, portraits of the royal founding couple and the model of a locomotive - are exhibited in the Maximilianeum‘s “Steinerne Saal” or Stone Hall.

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The exterior and its artworkHolding a dominant position above the eastern shore of the Isar, accessible by an impressive, extensive driveway, the rambling building is elevated, like a gloriette. The flat-roofed facade consists of a slightly concave centre section and two straight side wings. The uniform rows of round arches on both storeys are delimited on the either side by three-storey open towers.

Widely visible, the artworks on the western facade depict the programme of the original “institution of higher learning”. Thus, the mosaics on the centre risalit (see image below) depict the foundation of Ettal by the German Emperor Ludwig IV, as an example of the piety and charity of the Bavarian dynasty, flanked by the opening of the university in Ingolstadt and the victory of the poet Wolfram von Eschenbach at the Sängerkrieg as an example of Bavaria‘s scientific and artistic prowess. The mosaics of the northern risalit depict the Pavia Treaty of the House of Wittelsbach as an outstanding political performance.

The scientific tools depicted on the side pick up on the cycle of frescoes in the room below. On the southern risalit the art of war is presented as the liberation of Vienna from the Turks. The war trophies depicted on the side once again reflect the images depicted in the room below.

The 22 busts above the lower row of arcades portray “benefactors, inventors, wise people, men of letters, statesmen and generals” (to the north: from Homer to Francis of Assisi; to the south: from Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden to Pythagoras).

Top right: Demosthenes, statesman 384-322 BC, bust above the lower row of arcades

Right: Greek goddess of victory, Nike, and Victorias with garlands and palm branches

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The interior and its fittingsVisitors who access the Maximilianeum via the the main entrance in the west are received by a vestibule. When looking up the stairs a monumental late Gothic crucifix from Chieming can be seen in the gallery. Several marble busts are located on the landing and in the gallery.

Half way up, the stairs are divided into two flights that lead to the open arcades of the Steinerne Saal (Stone Hall). Here, in the so-called cloister visitors can view a unique historical documentation. This documentation contains the victim biographies of 315 members of Bavarian parliaments that suffered under the Nazi dictatorship. Researchers can look into individual biographies. Since January 2008, it has been possible to retrieve them at a computer terminal. They complement a commemora-tive plaque installed in the cloister in May 2007 (see bottom left). Both are to contribute to keeping alive the memory of democratic resistance in Bavaria against the National Socialist dictatorship.

Top: The Steinerne Saal: View of the ambulatories and the cloister (centre)

Right: Bust made of Carrara marble: Augustus, the first Roman Emperor 63 BC – 14 AC

The side walls of the cloister not only contain portraits of the young King Maximilian II by Julius Zimmermann and the first Bavarian King Maximilian I Joseph by Moritz Kellerhoven, but also two gigantic canvasses: to the south “The Coronation of Emperor Charles the Great” by Friedrich Kaulbach (1861) and to the north “The Coronation of Ludwig of Bavaria” by August von Kreling (1859). They are the remainders of a work of originally 30 oil paintings commissioned by King Maximilian II, with important historic events (ranging from the biblical Fall to the Battle of Nations at Leipzig).

The south-eastern of the four portals to the Steinerne Saal leads to the assembly room of the Bayerischer Landtag. The north-eastern portal provides access to the so-called Senate Hall. This hall was used by the Bavarian Senate (the previous “second chamber” of the Bavarian Parliament) as a meeting room. With effect of 1 January 2000, the Bavarian Senate was abolished - by referendum.

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by Georg Hiltensperger of six benefactors and six inventors. These pictures were meant to supplement a cycle of busts, which used to flank the northern and southern ambulatories, as in a hall of fame. The reading room at the end of the southern ambulatory is the counterpart to the conference room. The frescoes on its eastern wall, the centrepart of which depicted a group of important statesmen at the time of the Congress of Vienna, have been lost. Instead, the oil sketch by Karl Theodor von Pilotys on the Sängerkrieg can be viewed. The pictures by Friedrich Pecht on the remaining walls show six European generals and six statesmen.

The north-western portal of the Steinerne Saal leads to the northern ambulatory, the so-called President‘s corridor. Its name is derived from the portraits of the previous Landtag Presidents that hang there. The corridor leads to the conference room that is used by the Council of Elders of the Landtag for receptions and meetings. The eastern wall of the centre room is home to a fresco created by Engelbert Seibertz, which depicts the Maximilianeum in neo-Gothic design, prior to the 1864 change of plan. It shows the imaginary introduction of Alexander von Humboldt to a group of famous men from the arts and sciences in Bavaria (see image below). The remaining walls feature pictures painted

1 Ignaz von Döllinger

2 Friedrich von Hermann

3 Leo von Klenze

4 Joseph von Fraunhofer

5 Lorenz von Westenrieder

6 Johann Georg von Lori

7 Friedrich von Thiersch

8 Friedrich Wilhelm

von Schelling

9 Justus von Liebig

10 Alexander von Humboldt

11 Carl Ritter

12 Wilhelm von Kaulbach

13 Wilhelm von Doenniges

14 Leopold von Ranke

15 Emanuel von Geibel

16 Ludwig von Schwanthaler

17 August Graf

von Platen-Hallermünde

18 Franz Lachner

19 Franz Xaver von Baader

20 Franz von Kobell

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

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The Maximilianeum scholarship foundation

The owner of the building is the Maximilianeum scholarship foundation. The Bayerischer Landtag is merely a tenant.

Maximilian II of Bavaria (1811-1864) already conceived the plan of constructing “a large national building on the Isarhöhe near Munich” in order to “improve the monarchical national volksgeist” as Crown Prince. This was soon accompanied by the concept of an “athenaeum”, an institution with the goal of “enabling talented Bavarian youths (irrespec-tive of class) to achieve the level of scientific and mental training re-quired to meet the higher requirements of public service”. Unfortunately, Maximilian II did not live long enough to witness the completion of the institution‘s building and even the legal form of the foundation was fi-nalised under his son and successor, Ludwig II. In accordance with the 1876 certificate, the Maximilianeum building and a gallery with historic images and marble busts still belong to the foundation to this very day.

Following the end of the monarchy in 1918, the protectorate of the Maximilaneum foundation was transferred to Munich‘s Ludwig- Maximilians University and has remained there ever since. The scholar-ship foundation currently supports a total of 33 high-school graduates. The “Wittelsbacher Jubiläums-Stiftung” (since 1980; Wittelsbach anniversary foundation) currently pays scholarships for 17 highly talented female high-school graduates. Since the foundation of the institution approximately 800 students (both male and female) have enjoyed the benefits of the two foundations. Famous “Maximilianeers” include the two Bavarian Minister Presidents Eugen Ritter von Knilling (1865-1927) and Franz Josef Strauß (1915-1988), as well as the Nobel Laureate for Physics, Werner Heisenberg (1901-1976).

Information on the scholarship foundation is available at www.maximilianeum.de

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Foto

: Fab

ian

Hel

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Visiting the MaximilianeumIndividual visitors can attend committee or plenary sessions without prior registration if seats are available (presentation of a valid ID card or passport required). Tours of the building are not possible without an invitation by the Landtag Office.

Groups can visit the Bayerischer Landtag after registering and receiving an invitation from the Landtag Office. The request to visit must be in writing and must be received as early as possible. Visitors are looked after by the visitor‘s service of the Landtag Office.

Bavarian school classes are offered a special programme in the context of “educational support”. Due to the high level of interest, early regis- tration (during the first few months of the school year) is required. There are further conditions for all visits.

Contact UsBayerischer Landtag – LandtagsamtReferat P V – Öffentlichkeitsarbeit, BesucherMaximilianeum, D – 81627 München, DeutschlandPhone +49 (0) 89 41 26 – 27 05 or - 23 36 (Visitors‘ service)Phone +49 (0) 89 41 26 – 21 91 or – 26 02 OrdersFax +49 (0) 89 41 26 – 17 67oeffentlichkeitsarbeit@bayern.landtag.depaed.betreuung@bayern.landtag.de (Visits by school classes)

For questions regarding the Bayerischer Landtag:Central information department of the Landtag OfficePhone +49 (0) 89 41 26 – 22 68, informationsstelle@bayern.landtag.de

Our services

Information materialThe Bayerischer Landtag has a host of free information at its disposal. Orders can be placed by mail, fax, e-mail, phone or on our website. Details can be found under “Contact Us” on the following page.

The Bayerischer Landtag on the internetThe Bayerischer Landtag website offers web TV, featuring live- broadcasts of current plenary sessions and recordings of past sessions (video archive). The current progress of the plenum can be viewed at “Plenum online”. Furthermore, you can view meeting schedules and agendas, search for parliamentary meeting minutes, bills, motions and resolutions document search), read up on parliamentary history and on the Maximilianeum itself, and find the biographies and addresses of all representatives, information for young users and a variety of additional information.

“Maximilianeum” – the online magazine of the Bayerischer LandtagAt www.maximilianeum-online.de, under the headings “Title”, “Politics” and “Panorama” you will find regular contributions on parliamentary activities in Bavaria. Interested citizens can subscribe to “Maximilianeum” free of charge.By the way, you can also find the online magazine on the homepage of the Bayerischer Landtag website at www.bayern.landtag.de.

Editor:Bayerischer LandtagLandtag OfficeDepartment of Public Relations, VisitorsMaximilianeumD - 81627 Munich, GermanyPhone +49 (0) 89 41 26 - 0Fax +49 (0) 89 41 26 -13 92landtag@bayern.landtag.dewww.bayern.landtag.de

Photos:Picture library of the Bayerischer LandtagPhotographer: Rolf Poss, Siegsdorf (insofar as nothing to the contrary is stated)

Design:Vogt, Sedlmeir, Reise. GmbH Munich

Published by:EBERL PRINT GmbH, Immenstadt Current as of: January 2010