Fuldaer Stadtschloss
Baroque residence of the prince-abbots of Fulda with the Historische Räume (historic rooms): Princes' Hall, Mirror Cabinet, Rococo apartment and porcelain collection.
About the museum
From the 14th century, a castle of the abbots of Fulda stood on the site of today's palace. In the early 17th century it was converted into a four-winged Renaissance residence and enlarged over the following decades.
The palace acquired its present Baroque appearance under Prince-Abbot Adalbert von Schleiffras: from 1706 – the foundation stone was laid in 1708 – until 1714, the master builder Johann Dientzenhofer transformed the complex into a stately residence with a cour d'honneur. It forms the centerpiece of Fulda's Baroque Quarter, together with the palace garden and orangery. Around 1730 the prince-abbots, later prince-bishops, had the interiors lavishly furnished, and in the 1750s they were redesigned in the Rococo style; in the 19th century, under Hessian rule, late Neoclassical state rooms were added.
Today the Stadtschloss is the seat of Fulda's city administration. Some of the rooms have been reconstructed and are open as the palace museum “Historische Räume”: the Princes' Hall with its adjoining rooms, the princely apartment with the Mirror Cabinet, a collection of faience and porcelain from Fulda and Thuringian manufactories, and mementos of the Fulda-born Nobel laureate Ferdinand Braun. The rooms also serve as a wedding venue for the registry office. The palace tower is free to visit.
Highlights
- Baroque Princes' Hall with adjoining rooms
- Mirror Cabinet – the prince-abbot's former dressing room
- Princely apartment from around 1730, redesigned in the Rococo style
- Faience and porcelain from Fulda and Thuringia
- Mementos of Nobel laureate Ferdinand Braun
- Palace tower with free climb
Permanent exhibitions
- Historische Räume – Fürstensaal und fürstliche Wohnung – Tour through the Princes' Hall, the prince-abbots' living quarters with the Mirror Cabinet, and the late Neoclassical state rooms of the 19th century.
- Fayence- und Porzellansammlung – Selected pieces from Fulda's short-lived manufactories and Thuringian porcelain.
- Operated by
- Stadt Fulda
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2.30People with a severe disability (disability rating of 50 or more) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 18 · Children and teenagers up to 18 free. |
| Seniors | –No senior discount listed. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €2.30Reduced admission with a disability rating of 50 or more. |
| Students & apprentices | freeApprentices, university students and school students up to age 25 free. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €2.30 per personGroup tickets from 10 people, per adult. |
| Kombi Karte Plus | €9Reduced €7; valid for the Vonderau Museum, Historische Räume, Fastnachtsmuseum and Villa Franz Erhard Walther. |
Tickets and audio guide at the palace ticket desk. Palace tower free. Prices for guided tours are not given on the tourism website.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- 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
The tourist information office lists the historic rooms in the category “for guests with reduced mobility” but gives no details. The palace tower is accessible up to the seventh floor (entrance via the palace courtyard, turnstile on the third floor).
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Weddings / ceremonies
The historic rooms are a wedding venue of the Fulda registry office. The Princes' Hall also hosts concerts and plays by the Schlosstheater.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| Good to know | Palace tours Tue–Fri at 14:00, Sat, Sun and public holidays at 10:30 and 14:00; meeting point at the palace ticket desk. Audio guide available at the ticket desk. Virtual 3D tour of the mirror rooms and porcelain collection online. |
