Wörlitz Castle
A masterpiece of classicism
The WörlitzEr Park was only a few years old when wörlitz Castle was built as its central building. From 1769 to 1773, picturesquely situated on Lake Wörlitz, it was also the first purely classicist castle building on the European mainland. It was designed according to the latest English models by the architect Friedrich Wilhelm von Erdmannsdorff for the young Prince Leopold III Friedrich Franz von Anhalt-Dessau.
And it had much more to offer than beauty: Around 150 years before the Bauhaus Dessau, a new ideal of functionality was born here, which people in the Reich were talking about. These features have secured a firm place in every architectural guide for Wörlitz Castle, which looks more like a villa despite the huge columns at the entrance. Here Prince Franz intended to lead a quiet life, as the inscription on the portal suggests: “LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP HAVE BUILT IT, UNITY AND TRANQUILITY MAY INHABIT IT, SO DOMESTIC JOYS WILL NOT BE MISSING.”
The functional aspects of the equipment include a freezer, a pull-out double bed, a fireplace that kept the warmth even on long winter evenings, as well as a system of underground passages. But of course, the interior design with its perfect conception is also of breathtaking beauty. Here you will find antique sculptures, Italian and Dutch paintings (including Rubens) and English Wedgewood ceramics, but also outstanding ensembles from famous furniture workshops, such as Abraham and David Roentgen. Wall paintings and stuccoes are based on new excavation finds in the lost cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Prince Franz and Erdmannsdorff were able to visit the places on their Grand Tour from 1765 to 1767.
Wörlitz Castle
Visits
As part of separate guided tours, the ground floor (including the ballroom, the dining room, the Chinese rooms and the private rooms of the princely couple including the library) and the upper floor (including the apartment of the hereditary prince and the architect Friedrich Wilhelm von Erdmannsdorff) can be visited.
Time slots can be booked for the South Sea exhibition in the mezzanine
of the castle.
Guided tours on the ground floor
Duration approx. 1 hour
Opening hours 2023
18/19 March to 31 October, Tue–Sun, public holidays 10:00–17:00
Guided tour times: 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Sundays, 11:00 a.m.
Guided tours outside opening hours are possible by appointment at special conditions.
Adult: 9,00 €
reduced: 7,00 €
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)
Fürst-Franz-Karte
One-time admission to Wörlitz Castle and a visit to the Gothic House
Price: 13,00 €
Our recommendation:
Secure your guided tour of Wörlitz Castle and send us an e-mail to info@welterbe-gartenreich.de so that groups of more than 6 people can also participate.
The guided tour on the ground floor is barrier-free. When purchasing a ticket, please contact us that you need barrier-free access.
Wörlitz Castle
D-06785 Oranienbaum-Wörlitz, Germany
OT Stadt Wörlitz
Phone: +49 (0)34905.40 9-20
schloss-woerlitz@gartenreich.de
From the basement to the roof
Duration approx. 1.5 hours
2:00 p.m.
Adult: 9,00 €
reduced: 7,00 €
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)
Guided tours outside opening hours are possible by appointment at special conditions.
Our recommendation:
Secure your guided tour of Wörlitz Castle and send us an e-mail to info@welterbe-gartenreich.de so that groups of more than 6 people can also participate.
Wörlitz Castle
D-06785 Oranienbaum-Wörlitz, Germany
OT Stadt Wörlitz
Phone: +49 (0)34905.40 9-20
schloss-woerlitz@gartenreich.de
The South Seas in Wörlitz
South Seas Exhibition, Palm Hall, Belvedere
Adult: 9,00 €
reduced: 7,00 €
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)
Guided tours outside opening hours are possible by appointment at special conditions.
The South Seas exhibition in the mezzanine is accessible by stairs and therefore not barrier-free.
Wörlitz Castle
D-06785 Oranienbaum-Wörlitz, Germany
OT Stadt Wörlitz
Phone: +49 (0)34905.40 9-20
schloss-woerlitz@gartenreich.de