Castle and castle park

Mosigkau

Little Sanssouci

With its Rococo architecture, Mosigkau Castle is a charming unique in the far west of the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Kingdom. The magnificent and yet typically restrained ensemble with castle and outbuildings as well as a garden was created from 1752.

Prince Leopold I of Anhalt-Dessau, the “Old Dessauer”, had given his favorite daughter Anna Wilhelmine of Anhalt-Dessau (1715–1780) the estates on which the castle was built as a summer residence. In contrast to representative baroque palace complexes, Mosigkau Castle was an outwardly rather reserved retreat for the art-loving prince’s daughter. Inside, all the greater splendor could unfold. Mosigkau Castle is often referred to as “little Sanssouci”. It is one of the few surviving Rococo sites in Central Germany.

Even though Christian Friedrich Damm supervised the construction work, the designs may have come from the Prussian master builder Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff. Even the single princess, who was relieved of many duties of representation, probably helped shape the structure of the complex.

Anna Wilhelmine established a rich social life in a village setting at the gates of Dessau. In 24 rooms, the equipment is partly preserved in its original condition. The highlight is the gallery hall with magnificent specimens of Flemish and Dutch painting, which are closely embedded in recessed wall panels. On display are works by Peter Paul Rubens and Jan Brueghel the Elder, among others. Probably the most famous painting is by Anthonis van Dyck and shows the childlike Wilhelm II of Orange-Nassau. Numerous portraits of Princes of Anhalt are also part of the castle’s collection.

Compared to other courtly conventions, life at Mosigkau Castle was probably rather informal. The garden played a decisive role in this. Here festivals took place, plays were performed, carousels were set up – one indulged in the hide-and-seek game in the maze. During the princess’s lifetime and completely from 1805, the Rococo park was transformed into an English landscape garden according to the ideals of Prince Franz. This resulted in the orangeries with citrus plants, some of which are over 150 years old, as well as the extensively restored Chinese House, which are positioned like gatehouses at the entrance.

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Mosigkau Castle

and his treasure trove of pictures

What you get to see in the gallery hall is world class. As one of the last baroque complete picture hangings of its kind, the collection is of the utmost importance. Admire the paintings of the Flemish and Dutch masters of the 17th century.

Castle Park

A pearl of the Rococo

The park is open daily all year round and is freely accessible.

April to October: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

December to February: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

November and March: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

In the event of weather events, closures may take place at short notice. There is a limited winter service.

€ 9.00 (by appointment only, for groups of 10 or more)

Guided tours outside opening hours are possible by appointment at special conditions.

Castle and castle park: € 14.00 Guided tour by appointment only (for groups of 10 or more)

Mosigkau Castle
Knobelsdorffallee 2–3
D-06847 Dessau-Roßlau
OT Mosigkau
Phone +49 (0) 3 40.50 25 57 21
schloss-mosigkau@gartenreich.de

Lock

with pre-registration

18/19 March to 30 April, Sat, Sun, public holidays 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

1 May to 30 September, Tue-Sun, holidays 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

1 October to 31 October, Sat, Sun, public holidays 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Adult: 9,00 €
Reduced: 7,00 €

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. individual visit to the Gemäldegalerie & Kabinette

Tuesday to Saturday 11:00 a.m. guided tour of the castle and park; 14:00 Guided tour of the castle
Sundays, 11:00 a.m.

Guided tours outside opening hours are possible by appointment at special conditions.

Discounts:

  • for groups of 15 people or more
  • Students up to 25 years, trainees, unemployed, severely disabled (accompanying person free), holders of volunteer cards of the city of Dessau-Roßlau
  • Children up to 16 years accompanied by an adult free of charge (except gondolas, ferries, holiday program and children’s birthday parties)
  • Guided tour for school groups € 2.00 per person (max. 3 accompanying persons)
  • Guided tours for student groups (art history, history, restoration, horticulture, etc. of all universities and universities of applied sciences) € 2.00 per person (max. 1 accompanying person)

Castle and castle park: € 14.00 Guided tour by appointment only (for groups of 10 or more people and individual guests who take part in a regular castle and park tour on one day)

3-Schlösserkarte: 19,00 €, You can choose from the castles in Oranienbaum, Mosigkau, Luisium and the Gothic House in Wörlitz.
(valid for a whole season)

Mosigkau Castle
Knobelsdorffallee 2–3
D-06847 Dessau-Roßlau
OT Mosigkau
Phone +49 (0) 3 40.50 25 57 21
schloss-mosigkau@gartenreich.de