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Palace · Meersburg, Baden-Württemberg
Neues Schloss Meersburg
Baroque palace that was the residence of the prince-bishops of Constança from 1750 to 1803, with a staircase designed by Balthasar Neumann, a chapel with frescoes and a terrace overlooking the lake.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Neues Schloss Meersburg
The Neues Schloss, the new palace, stands opposite the medieval castle, on the other side of the square. Work began in 1710, but it only took on the character of a residence after 1740, when Cardinal Damian Hugo von Schönborn commissioned a ceremonial staircase to a design by Balthasar Neumann. From 1750 to 1803 it was the residence of the prince-bishops of Constança.
The chapel, built from 1741 to 1743, also follows Neumann's design, with frescoes by Gottfried Bernhard Göz and stuccowork by Joseph Anton Feuchtmayer. The decoration of the state rooms is the work of the painter Giuseppe Appiani and the stuccatore Carlo Luca Pozzi, and the façade facing the square received rococo features in a renovation around 1760.
The visit includes the staircase, the state rooms and the chapel. The palace is administered by the Staatliche Schlösser und Gärten Baden-Württemberg, the state's palaces authority, and hosts exhibitions and concerts.
The terrace in front of the palace is a viewpoint over the Unterstadt, the lake and Constança's shore, and is worth a stop even for those who do not go inside.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
1 hour.
Best time
From March to early November, when it is open every day. For the rest of the year it usually opens only on weekends and public holidays; check before you go.
How to get there
It is on Schlossplatz, in the Oberstadt, next to the Burg Meersburg, about a 10-minute uphill walk from the harbour.
Tip
Visit the castle and the palace during the same outing: the two are only a few steps apart and illustrate very different periods in the town's history.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Neues Schloss Meersburg
What is the difference between the Burg and the Neues Schloss?
The Burg is the fortified medieval castle; the Neues Schloss is the Baroque palace built in the 18th century for the prince-bishops of Constança.
Does the palace open every day?
From March to early November, yes. For the rest of the year it usually opens only on weekends and public holidays. Check before you go.
Who designed the staircase?
The staircase and the chapel follow designs by Balthasar Neumann, one of the great architects of the German Baroque.