Allstedt

Castle & Palace Allstedt: Imperial Palace and Reformation Site

Under the name "Alstediburg" the Palace Allstedt is mentioned for the first time in the Hersfeld Tithe Register from the end of the 9th century. Probably built under the Carolingians, the Palace was the residence of German kings and emperors. Almost all kings and emperors from the Ottonian, Salian and Staufer families have visited it.

Under Otto II, Allstedt was even the most visited palace in the then Saxony. Imperial assemblies, imperial diets and the documents of the 10th to 12th centuries exhibited there bear witness to the political significance for the empire. The Staufer Philipp of Swabia was the last king of the Holy Roman Empire, who stayed in the Palace Allstedt.

In the 13th and 14th century Allstedt lost its outstanding position. Under the noble lords of Querfurt, the complex was expanded into a fortified castle in the 14th and 15th centuries. In the 16th century, Elector Frederick the Wise began to expand the complex into a Renaissance palace, and from 1691, it was converted into a baroque palace complex.

In the 18th century the reconstruction of the foreclosure was completed, the last rebuilding measures were carried out in the 2nd. half of the 19th century.

Today's castle and palace complex allows visitors to experience the entire building and usage history from the 13th to the 19th century. The late medieval palace is unique. The first floor of the palace houses the court parlor and the imposing castle kitchen, which is one of the most important and largest in Europe. With the largest castle fireplace in German castle construction, it is a main attraction of Castle & Palace Allstedt.

As the authentic place of work of the theologian and reformer Thomas Müntzer, Castle & Palace Allstedt is a place of international standing in the history of the Reformation. He held his famous Sermon to the Princes here. He was the first Reformer to celebrate a completely service completely in German and had a lasting influence on the German language with his writings and song texts.

One exhibition is dedicated to the work of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who was active several times in Allstedt in his role as Minister of State from 1776 to 1782 and wrote three acts of his important classical drama “Iphigenia in Tauris”.

Today, in addition to the history of construction and use, visitors can learn a lot about the reformer Thomas Müntzer and his work in Allstedt and about the poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. In addition, an outstanding collection of iron cast art from the 19th century is on display.

As a “living” museum, Castle & Palace Allstedt offers a varied cultural offer. You can find out more under: www.schloss-allstedt.de or under Tel.: 034652/519; Fax: 034652/67754. You can also send us an email: schloss-allstedt@allstedt.de