Biebrich Palace

Biebrich Palace (Schloss Biebrich) in Wiesbaden is one of the finest baroque palaces on the Rhine. Its pink-and-white facade and domed central rotunda face the river directly, while behind it stretches a large landscaped park with ponds, old trees and a romantic mock castle ruin. Once the residence of the princes and dukes of Nassau, it makes a relaxing riverside stop on a day in Wiesbaden or Mainz.

Where it is and how to get there

Biebrich is a district in the south of Wiesbaden, the capital of Hesse, right on the Rhine opposite Mainz. Frankfurt is about 40 km (25 miles) to the east, and Frankfurt Airport is roughly 30 minutes away by car. From Wiesbaden's main station, take a city bus to the Rathaus Biebrich stop (lines 4, 14 and 38), a short walk from the palace. Rhine cruise boats also stop at the landing in front of the palace.

History

It all began in 1696 with a simple garden house on the riverbank. From 1707, architect Maximilian von Welsch linked two pavilions with galleries and a central rotunda, and from 1734 Friedrich Joachim Stengel completed the three-wing palace. It was the main residence of the House of Nassau until 1841 and a summer residence until 1866. The Nassau family, who later inherited the throne of Luxembourg, kept the palace until 1935. Badly damaged in World War II, it was restored by the state of Hesse, with the east wing rebuilt in the early 1980s.

Things to see

• The river facade and rotunda, topped by 16 statues of classical gods
• The palace park, redesigned as an English landscape garden by Friedrich Ludwig von Sckell in 1817–1823
• The Mosburg, an artificial castle ruin beside a pond
• Wild ring-necked parakeets, which have lived in the park for decades

Can you go inside?

As of October 2026, the palace is not a museum. The state government uses the rotunda and galleries for receptions, the city holds civil weddings there, and the heritage office occupies the west wing. Regular interior tours are not offered. The park is free and open to the public, and there is a café in the rotunda's lower level.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, as a free and pleasant break: allow one to two hours for the facade, park and riverside promenade. At Pentecost, the park hosts a major international horse show that has run since 1949.