Museum Jagdschloss Gelbensande

About the museum

The hunting palace was built from 1885 to 1887 to plans by court architect Gotthilf Ludwig Möckel as a summer residence for Grand Duke Friedrich Franz III of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and his wife Anastasia. The grand ducal family used it until 1944. Among others, Cecilie grew up here; she later became Crown Princess of the German Empire. In 1904 she became engaged to Crown Prince Wilhelm of Prussia in this house.

After 1945 the palace served as a military hospital and tuberculosis sanatorium, later as housing for construction workers, and in the 1980s as a municipal administration building with a library. After reunification, a friends' association was founded in 1995 that had the representative floor restored piece by piece, removed later overpainting, made the fireplaces functional again and installed leaded glass windows. The house has been open to the public again since 1996.

Today the association, which has been called Museum Jagdschloss Gelbensande e. V. since 2013, runs the museum floor. The tour leads through twelve rooms, some furnished true to the original, with four fireplaces, the grand ducal bath with its original tub, and the building's technical installations. One room is devoted to places in the area associated with Duchess Cecilie.

Highlights

• Twelve restored rooms of the representative floor
• Four fireplaces and grand ducal bath with original tub
• Technical installations of the house from the grand ducal era
• Exhibition room on the Cecilie sites around Gelbensande
• Hubertus festival and other events throughout the year

Permanent exhibition

• Museumsetage im Jagdschloss – Tour of twelve restored rooms of the grand ducal representative floor, some furnished true to the original, with fireplaces, bath and building technology.

Founded

1996

Operated by

Museum Jagdschloss Gelbensande e. V.

Admission & discounts

Nursery and school groups pay €2.50 per child for the programme "Wo sind die Maus Rudolf und ihre Freunde?" (Where are Rudolf the Mouse and His Friends?); one accompanying adult is free, further accompanying adults pay €7.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• 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

There is one flight of steps to negotiate at the entrance; otherwise the museum is accessible without barriers. A parking space for people with mobility impairments is right at the castle's entrance gate. Seating is available in almost all rooms.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

For nursery groups and school classes there is the programme "Wo sind die Maus Rudolf und ihre Freunde?": on the tour, children aged about 5 to 8 look for hidden mice.

Getting there & parking

Gelbensande lies in the Rostocker Heide, about 15 km east of Rostock; the B 105 runs about 500 m south of the palace.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available

The castle's catering (not run by the museum association) is permanently closed.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Civil weddings can take place in the fireplace rooms of the museum floor; arrangements through the civil registry office at Amt Rostocker Heide.

Plan your visit