Großkühnau

Palace and Park

Old oaks with mighty, gnarled branches form a venerable picture on the edge of the almost pristine Kühnau lake. Side by side with vines and fruit trees, whose delicate blossoms paint a sea of white and pink dots in spring and whose fruits glow golden in the sun in late summer, they characterize the image of Kühnauer Park. Interspersed with a number of architectural gems, art and nature are excellently combined here to create a true work of garden art.

History

Homage to »Father Franz«

It was Prince Franz’s son, Hereditary Prince Friedrich von Anhalt-Dessau, who laid the foundation stone for the extensive park in 1805. However, it was his son, Duke Leopold IV. Frederick of Anhalt-Dessau. The Kühnau Landscape Park therefore marks the end of the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Realm UNESCO World Heritage Site – and can certainly be seen as an early homage by Prince Franz’s descendants to him and his visionary project to beautify the region.

Prince Albert of Anhalt-Dessau, the younger brother of Prince Franz, had a palace built on Lake Kühnau much earlier, in 1780. Designed with great restraint, even then only the banqueting hall was decorated – delicate floral paintings still adorn the walls and ceiling today.

Come on in!

What to expect

Insights

Großkühnau Palace

In 1998, the Dessau-Wörlitz Cultural Foundation moved into Großkühnau Palace as its administrative headquarters. From here, day by day, the fate of the UNESCO World Heritage Garden Realm of Dessau-Wörlitz is directed. It is therefore not open to the public but on special occasions.

Großkühnau Palace is only open to the public on special occasions. Information on dates can be found here.

The extensive holdings of the library and archive in the coach house at Großkühnau Palace can be viewed and used for research by prior appointment.

Kulturstiftung Dessau-Wörlitz
Schloss Großkühnau
Ebenhanstraße 8
D-06846 Dessau-Roßlau
Phone +49 (0)340.646150
service@gartenreich.de

Großkühnau Palace is managed and maintained by the Dessau-Wörlitz Cultural Foundation:

Kulturstiftung Dessau-Wörlitz
Schloss Großkühnau
Ebenhanstraße 8
D-06846 Dessau-Roßlau
Phone +49 (0)340.646150
service@gartenreich.de

Vineyard and lakeside romance in the Elbe floodplain

Park walk

The Kühnauer Park captivates with its wide meadows, old trees and winding paths between gentle hills, orchards and a small vineyard. With views of historic buildings at the end of long sightlines, the most beautiful landscape paintings are created at any time of year – in nature!

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

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

The vineyard in Kühnauer Park has a touch of Italy about it. A pretty vineyard castle – built by the master builder Carlo Ignazio Pozzi between 1828 and 1830 in the neoclassical style – is enthroned here as an important point de vue.

Information on events at the vineyard can be found here.

Park Großkühnau is managed and maintained by the city of Dessau-Roßlau:

Tourist-Information Dessau-Roßlau
Ratsgasse 11
06844 Dessau-Roßlau
Tel.: +49 (0)340 / 882920-00
post@visitdessau.com

Did you know?

Evangelical Church Großkühnau

Between Großkühnau Palace and Park, a special church stands out with its brick shell and a tower structure that can be seen from afar. Built in 1828/1829, it is one of the oldest neo-Romanesque churches in Germany and therefore definitely worth a visit! The Byzantine new building – like the Weinbergschlösschen – probably comes from the master builder Carlo Ignazio Pozzi.

More information

Any questions?

We are here for you!

Gartenreich Dessau-Wörlitz

Touristinformation

in the kitchen building at Wörlitz Palace
Kirchgasse 35, D-06785 Oranienbaum-Wörlitz
Phone +49 (0) 3 49 05.3 10 09
info@welterbe-gartenreich.de
www.welterbe-gartenreich.de

Opening hours 2025

January to March 21, November, December:
Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

22. March to October 31:
Monday to Thursday, Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.