Thurn and Taxis is the name of a medieval dynasty that attained wealth and fame from the 16th century as the imperial postmasters. As compensation for losing the Bavarian mail monopoly, the Princes were given the former Abbey of St. Emmeram in 1812. Princess Gloria of Thurn and Taxis has been head of the royal house and the group of companies of the same name since 1990. Her most important role is maintaining and looking after her family's cultural heritage.

The Princes of Thurn and Taxis lived here for almost two hundred years after they moved from Frankfurt to Regensburg in 1748. In 1816, the palace was converted into a magnificent residence that is regarded as one of the most important examples of historicism in Germany. The marble staircase in the neo-Renaissance style is an impressive prelude to the state rooms that follow. A number of these splendid rooms were decorated with rococo furnishings from the family's Frankfurt residence. Striking examples include the “Yellow Salon” and the “Silver Salon”. The throne room is fittingly splendid with a gold and white décor, while exquisite tapestries by a student of Rubens hang resplendent in other rooms. The double-height ballroom, a blend of rococo and neo-rococo styles, exudes a glitteringly ceremonial atmosphere. Large mirrors and crystal chandeliers provide a shimmering backdrop for opulent festivals whose traditions are still very much alive today.
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