original_query: What is the Residenz in Munich and what was its historical significance?
query: What is the Residenz in Munich and what was its historical significance?
answer: The Munich Residenz is the former royal palace of the Wittelsbach monarchs of Bavaria, the largest city palace in Germany.  Its historical significance lies in its evolution over centuries, starting as a fortress in 1385 and expanding through various architectural styles (Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Neo-Classicism) to become a massive palace complex reflecting the power and influence of the Wittelsbach dynasty. It housed the royal family and served as a center of Bavarian political and cultural life.