Mannheim Palace

Mannheim Palace (Barockschloss Mannheim) is one of the largest palaces in Europe, a red sandstone Baroque residence more than 400 meters wide in the middle of Mannheim's city center. Built for the Electors of the Palatinate, it now houses the University of Mannheim and a palace museum that you can visit on a city stop in the Rhine-Neckar region. If you are looking for things to do in Mannheim, this is the main historical sight.

Why it matters

Elector Karl Philipp began the palace in 1720 after moving his court to Mannheim. It is often described as the second-largest Baroque palace complex in Europe after Versailles. Allied air raids in 1943 and 1944 destroyed almost all of it; reconstruction ran mainly from 1957 to 1964. Since 1967, the University of Mannheim has used much of the building, including its library, so you may walk past students on the way to the museum.

What to see

• Knights' Hall (Rittersaal): the grand ceremonial hall, also used for concerts.
• Library of Electress Elisabeth Auguste: available as a VR experience as well.
• Imperial Quarters and Baden court silver: period rooms and fine tableware.
• Court of honor (Ehrenhof): the vast forecourt that shows the scale best.
• Palace church: built into the complex, with a high altar painting from 1729.

Allow 1 to 2 hours. The free "Monument BW" app offers self-guided tours. Guided tours are offered in German; check the palace website for other languages.

Tickets and hours (as of October 2026)

The palace is open year-round: Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last admission 3 p.m.), Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last admission 4 p.m.). It is closed on December 24, 25 and 31. Adult admission is 11 EUR (reduced 5.50 EUR, family 27.50 EUR); with a guided tour it is 13 EUR. A combined ticket with the Schwetzingen Palace Gardens costs 18 EUR and can be used between March 29 and October 25. On some days, such as wedding days, the staircase and Knights' Hall are closed; the palace lists October 23 for 2026.

Getting there

Mannheim is a major rail hub, and the palace is a 10-minute walk from Mannheim Hauptbahnhof or a short ride on tram lines 1, 5 or 7 to the stop "Schloss". Drivers can use the University/Mensa parking garage (entrance via Bismarckstraße) or a public underground garage about 200 meters away. The address is Bismarckstraße, 68161 Mannheim.

Good to know

All museum levels are reachable by elevator, and a wheelchair can be borrowed; ask the staff. Pair your visit with the Schwetzingen Palace Gardens, the electors' summer residence, using the combined ticket.