Schloss Luisium
Neoclassical country house of Princess Louise in the UNESCO Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz, with small cabinets and an English landscape park.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Prince Franz of Anhalt-Dessau had the small country house built between 1774 and 1778 by Friedrich Wilhelm von Erdmannsdorff as a private residence for his wife Louise. In 1780 the house and garden were named Luisium after her. The cube-shaped building with its crowning belvedere is a typical example of Erdmannsdorff's architecture.
Inside, the small rooms, reduced to living purposes, are largely original in their furnishings. Especially on the first upper floor they have fine Neoclassical stucco and wall paintings with Pompeian influences. On the ground floor is a magnificent hall whose ceiling painting identifies the house as the "Temple of Feminine Virtues".
The palace is surrounded by a 14-hectare English landscape garden with a Schlangenhaus (Snake House), orangery, gatehouses and a ruin arch, as well as a farm section for fruit and vegetables. From 1779 onward, a neo-Gothic stud farm was built within sight, as an "ornamented farm". A sightline leads to the Walderseer Church, in whose tower lies the burial vault of the princely couple.
Highlights
- Country house by Erdmannsdorff (1774–1778) with original cabinets
- Grand hall as the "Temple of Feminine Virtues"
- English landscape garden with Snake House and ruin arch
- Neo-Gothic stud farm as an "ornamented farm"
- Orangery with restaurant and café
Permanent exhibition
- Schloss und Park Luisium – Guided tour through the small, largely original rooms and cabinets of the Neoclassical country house, with stucco and wall paintings.
- Operated by
- Kulturstiftung Dessau-Wörlitz
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €9 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €7Groups of 15 or more people, students up to age 25, trainees, unemployed people, people with severe disabilities, holders of the Dessau-Roßlau Ehrenamtskarte (volunteer card) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 16 · Children and young people up to age 16 accompanied by an adult enter free. |
| Seniors | –No senior reduction listed. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €7companion free · Reduced admission with a severe disability ID (Schwerbehindertenausweis); accompanying person free. |
| Students & apprentices | €7Students up to age 25 and trainees. |
| Groups (15+ people) | €7 per personReduced price for groups of 15 or more people. School classes pay €3 per pupil, with up to 3 accompanying persons. |
| Families | –No family ticket; children up to age 16 enter free. |
| 3-palace pass (season) | €19Three palaces of your choice from Luisium, Oranienbaum, Mosigkau and the Gothic House, valid for one season. |
| Tour outside opening hours (up to 1.5 hours) | €50Per group, plus admission; €100 for up to 2.5 hours. |
The park is free to enter.
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 palace and park hold the "Reisen für Alle" (Travel for All) quality seal until April 2028; details are in the audit report at reisen-fuer-alle.de. Loaner wheelchairs are available in the palace (please request in advance).
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 16 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Family tour Sundays at 14:00, explorer booklets for children, an adventure tour for school years 2–5 (1 hour, €3 per child); children up to age 16 enter free.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Neue Schule · 5-min walk
By regional train RE13 (from Magdeburg) or S2/S8 (from Leipzig) to Dessau station, then about 20 minutes by bus 13 or 304 (World Heritage line) to "Neue Schule", then 5 minutes on foot.
By car
Parking available
Parking at the Jonitzer Mühle and at the southeastern park entrance.
Via the A9 (exit Vockerode), heading west to Dessau-Waldersee.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
Restaurant and café Orangerie Luisium (tel. 0340 21763315); Gartenreich shop at Luisium; digital tour available online.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
The Neoclassical orangery (divisible, 130 m² or 106 m²) is suitable for weddings, family and company celebrations, receptions, lectures and concerts; prices on request (kontakt@orangerie-luisium.de, tel. 0340 21763315).
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The palace is visited on guided tours (currently at most 10 people): palace tours hourly 10:00–16:00, a quick tour of palace and park at 11:00, park tour Tue–Sat at 14:00, family tour Sundays at 14:00. Tickets online or as remaining tickets at the day ticket desk. |
