One of the world’s oldest art galleries is the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, dating from 1836. It was built on the orders of Ludwig I to house the royal collection of 14th to 18th century paintings. It is regarded as housing some of the finest and most important paintings in Europe – of which there are close to 700 on display. One of the largest collections of Rubens paintings in the world takes centre place in the gallery. Damages to the building from World War 2 can clearly be seen in the brick reconstructed parts of the façade.