Haus der Fürstin

From retreat to exhibition centre

In the spirit of the Enlightenment, Prince Franz of Anhalt-Dessau wanted to educate his people. That’s why Park Wörlitz was open to everyone right from the start – and the Schloss was also open to interested visitors. But the hustle and bustle in the stately home was not in the spirit of Princess Louise. Therefore, in 1790, her husband created a private retreat for her, which she herself called her “Grey Monastery”. Today we call it the “Haus der Fürstin” in her honor.

In contrast to the classicist castle, the Haus der Fürstin is a reception of Gothic architectural language. The 32-metre-long gallery inside is particularly impressive evidence of this: under the ogival vault along large ogival stained glass windows, the princess is said to have walked on cold and dark days. But the building does not stand alone. To this day, the neo-Gothic style determines the design of the entire room, which is formed by the kitchen building, the stables, St. Peter’s Church and the Haus der Fürstin. By taking up medieval forms, Prince Franz acknowledged his own history.

Since 2023, the restoration of the Princess’s house has been completed in accordance with the requirements of the preservation order. As a year-round exhibition centre of the Kulturstiftung Dessau-Wörlitz, it now fulfils a new purpose and contributes to the transfer of knowledge about the Gartenreich.

HAUS DER FÜRSTIN

"The whole country is a garden"

We recommend a visit to the new exhibition in the historic rooms. Here you will learn more about the time of origin of the Gartenreich and find out interesting facts about the life of the princely couple Franz and Louise of Anhalt-Dessau.

Opening hours and prices

May to September
Tue–Thu, Sun, public holidays 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Fri, Sat 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Spring Awakening until April 30
Tue–Sun 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

October
Tue–Sun 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Winter season
Tue–Sun 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Individual visits
Price incl. accompanying booklet: 3,00 €
reduced: 2,00 €

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)

More information

The Haus der Fürstin is accessible on all levels for guests with reduced mobility.

Schloss Wörlitz
D-06785 Oranienbaum-Wörlitz, Germany
OT Stadt Wörlitz
Phone: +49 (0)34905.40 9-20
schloss-woerlitz@gartenreich.de