Schlossmuseum Ahrensburg

About the museum

The building of the Ahrensburg palace goes back to Peter Rantzau, who in 1569 inherited from his brother the castle of Ahrensfelde, about three kilometers away, along with its land. At a site in the Hunnau valley he had a noble estate laid out, whose manor house was completed in 1585. The estate church and the Gottesbuden, which to this day serve as housing for socially disadvantaged people, were built shortly afterward, opposite.

In 1759, Heinrich Carl Schimmelmann purchased the estate. His fortune came in part from the triangular trade in enslaved people; as lord of the manor, he also worked for better living conditions for his subjects. The palace stayed in the family for six generations, until the counts had to sell it in 1938.

That the building was preserved as a cultural monument is thanks to the initiative of Ahrensburg hotelier Hans Schadendorff. The State of Schleswig-Holstein, the Stormarn district, the Kreissparkasse (district savings bank), and the town funded the new Schlossverein (palace association), which opened the museum in 1938. After an interruption caused by the war and a renovation, the house has served as a museum without interruption since 1955. Extensive renovations followed in 1983–1985 and from 2009 to 2015; at the end of 2002, the palace was transferred into a civil-law foundation. Today the rooms show Rococo and early Classicist living culture as well as the everyday life of the domestic staff.

Highlights

• White Renaissance moated palace from 1585 in the palace park
• Living rooms in the Rococo and early Classicist styles
• Grand hall with a large chandelier
• Flute clock more than 200 years old
• Free audio guide as an app, including a children's version
• Virtual 3D tour of the third floor

Permanent exhibition

• Historische Wohnräume des Schlosses – The rooms show living culture from the Rococo and early Classicism and tell of the life of the count's family and its servants.

Founded

1938

Operated by

Stiftung Schloss Ahrensburg

Director

Dr. Tatjana Ceynowa

Admission & discounts

The audio guide (device or app) is free of charge.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• 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 historic palace has no elevator, only a staircase dating from 1765, and is not accessible for wheelchair users. The ground floor is partly usable for people with walking difficulties, because of high historic thresholds between rooms. The toilets are in the basement.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Family tour for children from age 5, children's tour from age 6, children's audio guide with 24 entries, fairy-tale rally, treasure-hunt card sets at the ticket desk, and a discovery tour in the park (ages 8–11). Children's birthday parties with costumes, a tour, and crafts (depending on the program, for ages 5 to 11); fairy-tale hours in the tower room.

Getting there & parking

By car from Hamburg via the A 1, exit Ahrensburg.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 80 guests.

Garden hall for up to 60 people (readings, concerts, lectures outside opening hours), vaulted cellar in the palace basement with up to 80 seats; also weddings, conferences, and photo shoots in the wedding rooms.

Plan your visit