Entire generations of dukes of Bavaria were ardent Italy-lovers. Duke Ludwig the Tenth who ruled in Landshut in the beginning of the 16th century was no exception. After a journey in the Apennines he was imbued with ideas of Renaissance and decided to literally “come down from heaven to earth”. The duke considered that living on the hill in the castle of Trausnitz was “bad form”. He preferred to live in the town palace similar to Italian “palazzos”. Such a palace was erected for him in the heart of Landshut.
Architect Bernhard Sietzel took Palazzo del Te in Mantua as an example. He built a four-storey square palace with a courtyard. Tribute to Italy was also paid in the internal decorations: besides the Italian building there is also an “Italian hall” here. Today the Town Residence houses a museum of Bavarian Wittelsbachs. Luxurious interiors of the palace are a wonderful lure for tourists.