Historic portals painstakingly restored

Out of a small moated fortress dating back to 1385, the main place of residence and government for the royal House of Wittelsbach developed, which was used as such until 1918. Today, the Munich Residenz is the largest inner-city castle in Germany and one of the most important castle museums in Europe.

The impressive building complex comprises of ten courtyards as well as several structures, among these the lavish Königbau, the apartments of the king and queen, located at Max-Joseph-Platz. To maintain these remarkable, historic buildings and to preserve them for generations to come, restoration works have to be carried out at regular intervals. As part of the latest general renovation, the Königsbau was painstakingly restored – both inside and out. Along with the over 30-meter-high frontage made of green sandstone, three magnificent wooden portals, which form the entrance to the royal apartmens, were thoroughly inspected and meticulously refurbished.

To remove centuries of wear and tear left on the portals and to prepare the natural material for the coming years of weathering, the restoration team at the Bavarian Palace Administration utilized once again the products from Osmo. The specialists for wood and coatings have been developing and producing coating systems based on natural oils and waxes, which provide wood surfaces long-lasting and efficient protection, for over 50 years. For the impressive Oak portals of the Munich Residenz and its Königsbau, three coating systems from Osmo were used: Natural Oil Woodstain, Clear Oil Wood Finish and UV-Protection-Oil. Like many Osmo coatings, they are all based on natural waxes and oils and give wood a microporous and breathable surface.

Osmo Natural Oil Woodstain combines base coat and wood stain in one product and so it offers innovative long-term protection. Its water-repelling and UV-stable effect is completed with reliable protection against mould, algae and fungal attack. The decorative satin coating is available in 15 colours and thus it offers a lot of room for creative colour designs. With its versatility in use and its capability to even out varying absorption rates of wood, Osmo Clear Oil Wood Finish as an additional coating system offers an efficient solution for comprehensive protection. UV-Protection-Oil protects wood against exposure to intense sunlight. Through the treatment with various Osmo coatings, the impressive portals are best equipped to open visitors a gateway into the past.

Photos: ^©Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung / www.schloesser.bayern.de