Fürstenhäusle

About the museum

The small garden house above Meersburg's old town was built around 1600 for Jakob Fugger, then a canon and later Prince-Bishop of Konstanz. With its sweeping view over the vines and the lake, the little house served as a retreat in the vineyard. With secularization it passed to Baden in 1803.

In November 1843, Annette von Droste-Hülshoff bought the property, vineyard included, at auction for a modest price. The poet, who lived with her brother-in-law at the Meersburg castle, especially loved the upper floor with its lake view, which she called her "Schwalbennest" (swallow's nest). She died in 1848.

Her heirs preserved the house and its furnishings. In 1915 a nephew took over the property and added an annex; in 1923 his widow opened the front part to the public as a museum with the poet's furniture and mementos. In 1962 the state of Baden-Württemberg acquired the Fürstenhäusle, which is now managed by the Staatliche Schlösser und Gärten (State Palaces and Gardens).

On the first floor, the exhibition shows the formal parlor with a secretary desk, square piano and tiled stove, along with display cases holding Droste's collections of minerals, shells, coins and jewelry. Upstairs, the bedroom and study are furnished; manuscripts, miniatures, silhouettes and family photos complete the rooms.

Highlights

• Original furniture and collections of Annette von Droste-Hülshoff
• The "Schwalbennest" (swallow's nest) on the upper floor, overlooking Meersburg and the lake
• Manuscripts, portrait miniatures and silhouettes
• Garden among the vines above the old town
• Daily guided tour at 16:00 included in admission

Permanent exhibitions

• Im Geist der Droste – Räume der Erinnerung – Formal parlor, bedroom and study with the poet's furniture, collections and manuscripts, arranged according to her own descriptions.

Founded

1923

Operated by

Staatliche Schlösser und Gärten Baden-Württemberg

Admission & discounts

Guided tours are included in admission.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Due to the structure of the building, not accessible and not wheelchair-accessible.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

E-bike charging station available. Dogs only on a leash in the garden, not in the house.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit