Schloss Veitshöchheim

About the museum

Veitshöchheim, just a few kilometers downstream on the Main from Würzburg, was the summer residence of the Prince-Bishops of Würzburg until 1802. The summer palace arose here from a hunting lodge under Prince-Bishop Peter Philipp von Dernbach in the years 1680 to 1682. Between 1749 and 1753, Balthasar Neumann expanded the building and gave it a new roof form; the ceiling stucco work by Antonio Bossi also dates from this period. The sculptures in the staircase were created by Johann Peter Wagner by 1780.

Since 1814, the palace has belonged to the Bavarian crown, which used it as a summer residence in the 19th century. Only the restoration of 1931/32 set up all rooms of the upper floor again as historic state rooms and made the palace accessible as a museum. From 2001 to 2005, the entire building was restored.

Among the notable rooms are the prince-bishop's apartment and the rooms of Grand Duke Ferdinand of Tuscany, furnished around 1810. On the ground floor, a permanent exhibition tells the story of the Hofgarten, one of the most important Rococo gardens in Germany. The palace lies in the middle of this complex, which draws visitors every day from April to October with its fountains.

Highlights

• Historic living rooms with Rococo stucco by Antonio Bossi
• Prince-bishop's apartment and rooms of Grand Duke Ferdinand of Tuscany
• Staircase sculptures by Johann Peter Wagner
• Garden exhibition on the history of the Hofgarten
• Fountains in the Hofgarten (April–October)

Permanent exhibitions

• Historische Wohnräume im Obergeschoss – Guided tour through the prince-bishop's apartment and the rooms of Grand Duke Ferdinand of Tuscany, furnished around 1810.
• Gartenausstellung zur Geschichte des Hofgartens – The exhibition on the ground floor tells the story of the Rococo garden and is also accessible without a guided tour.

Operated by

Bayerische Verwaltung der staatlichen Schlösser, Gärten und Seen (Schloss- und Gartenverwaltung Würzburg)

Admission & discounts

Prices 2026. The combined ticket covers the palace, the garden exhibition, and the Hofgarten audio guide.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: not available
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The ground-floor entrance at the southeast corner is step-free; the ground floor with the ticket desk and garden exhibition is reached only via four steps, and the historic rooms on the upper floor only via a staircase. Accessible parking spaces in the public car park by the Main (approx. 450 m to the Hofgarten entrance at Fasanentor). Accessible toilets in the palace and in the Hofgarten next to Fasanentor. Hofgarten paths are level and easy to navigate (paved gravel), with barrier-free access at Fasanentor and via the inner courtyard of the town hall. No tactile guidance system, no induction loop; an audio guide for the Hofgarten is available, and written information is provided.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

In the garden exhibition there is a separate audio guide for children, in the form of a radio play with marionettes.

Getting there & parking

Navigation address: Echterstraße 10, 97209 Veitshöchheim.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 60 guests.

Available for hire: the vestibule (civil weddings for up to 30 people) and the palace terrace (smaller concerts and standing receptions for up to 60 people).

Plan your visit