Schloss Ritzebüttel

About the museum

Ritzebüttel Palace goes back to the Lappe family, who built a fortified stone castle around 1340; it was first mentioned in 1342 as "Steenborg". When the family's finances declined, Hamburg bought the area at the mouth of the Elbe, including the castle, in 1394. Over time the castle became a palace and the lordship became the Amt Ritzebüttel, a Hamburg exclave for more than 500 years. The Hamburgers raised the defense tower to 21 meters; it still shapes the building today. From 1752 to 1755 the representative baroque annex was added.

Among the best-known administrators was the poet Barthold Heinrich Brockes, who worked in the tower room and had the palace garden laid out. In 1937 the district passed to Prussia, and in 1947 to Lower Saxony. After the commitment of engaged citizens, the palace came to the city of Cuxhaven in 1981 and was renovated and restored by 1996, accompanied by archaeological and building-historical investigations.

Today it is a "Bürgerschloss" (citizens' palace), a cultural venue for concerts, readings and exhibitions, and a setting for weddings and events. On display are, among other things, the Amtmann's apartment in Biedermeier style, the Baroque Hall, the Gothic Hall and rooms devoted to Brockes. The medieval part of the upper floor is used for changing art exhibitions. On the grounds is also the Alte Wache (old guardhouse), home to the permanent exhibition "Zeitwache".

Highlights

• 14th-century defense tower and baroque annex from 1752–55
• Baroque Hall and Gothic Hall
• Brockes rooms with audio station
• Amtmann's apartment in Biedermeier style
• Free permanent exhibition "Zeitwache" in the Alte Wache
• Palace garden with labeled trees

Permanent exhibitions

• Zeitwache – Small, free permanent exhibition in the Alte Wache on the palace grounds; an accompanying text leads visitors through it as a brief journey through time.
• Brockes-Räume – Sparsely staged rooms on the upper floor of the annex recall the poet and administrator Barthold Heinrich Brockes with furniture, text panels and an audio station.
• Amtmannwohnung – Rooms in a colour scheme of around 1910 and two central rooms as they looked in 1892 show how the Hamburg administrators lived in Biedermeier style.

Operated by

Stadt Cuxhaven

Admission & discounts

With a valid guest card (Kurkarte), €0.50 discount on admission, except for guided tours. The permanent exhibition "Zeitwache" in the Alte Wache is free of charge.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

The palace halls can be rented (rental and usage conditions and the rental contract are available as a PDF on the website); wedding room for civil marriages. Enquiries at 04721 721812.

Plan your visit