Kaiserpfalz Goslar

About the museum

The Imperial Palace was built between 1040 and 1050 under Emperor Henry III and in the High Middle Ages was the most frequently visited seat of government of kings and emperors in the north of the empire. After the stay of William of Holland in 1253 the complex fell into disrepair; a fire in 1289 destroyed many buildings, and in 1290 the palace district passed to the town of Goslar. The hall building later served, among other things, as a court site and a storehouse.

Between 1867 and 1875 the Kaiserhaus was structurally restored, completed in 1879. Afterwards the Düsseldorf painter Hermann Wislicenus created a cycle of 68 wall paintings on the history of the medieval emperors in the Emperor's Hall, completed in 1897. The hall measures 47 by 16 meters at a height of seven meters and is still used today for large events.

In the vaults of the Winter Hall, an exhibition shows the era of the traveling kings and emperors; its main piece is the armrests of the Goslar Imperial Throne from the period 1065 to 1080. Also on display are a 12th-century warm-air heating system and depictions of the palace and the "Goslarer Dom" in their original form. The Romanesque palace chapel of St. Ulrich from the 12th century contains the tomb slab of Henry III; his heart is said to rest beneath it. Since 1992 the palace has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Rammelsberg, Altstadt von Goslar und Oberharzer Wasserwirtschaft.

Highlights

• Emperor's Hall with 68 wall paintings by Hermann Wislicenus
• Exhibition in the Winter Hall with the armrests of the Goslar Imperial Throne
• Palace chapel of St. Ulrich with the tomb slab of Henry III
• 12th-century warm-air heating
• Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Goslar
• Audio guide also for children

Permanent exhibitions

• Kaisersaal mit Wandgemälden – The great hall shows, in 68 paintings by Hermann Wislicenus, the history of the medieval emperors from Charlemagne to Conradin.
• Ausstellung im Wintersaal – The vaults present the era of the traveling kings and emperors, with the armrests of the Goslar Imperial Throne and a 12th-century warm-air heating system.
• Pfalzkapelle St. Ulrich – The Romanesque double chapel holds, in its lower chapel, the tomb slab of Henry III; his heart is said to be buried beneath it.

Operated by

Stadt Goslar

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

Wheelchair users reach the elevator through an otherwise closed entrance; staff will assist. The exhibition rooms are barrier-free. The path from Domplatz to the Kaiserpfalz rises gently, and a pushing aid can be useful. The audio devices are hearing-aid compatible and have keypads with Braille labels.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Family tours (approx. 60 minutes) for families with younger children by booking, plus a children's audio guide in German and English. Children and young people up to 17 years have free admission.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the palace district at the foot of the Rammelsberg, south of the old town.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The Emperor's Hall is a venue for major occasions, such as the opening of the Deutscher Verkehrsgerichtstag.

Plan your visit