Weissenstein Palace, Pommersfelden

Schloss Weissenstein in Pommersfelden is a showpiece of Franconian Baroque and is still owned by the Counts of Schönborn. Built as a country residence for a prince-bishop, it has a spectacular staircase hall, a marble hall and a picture gallery of more than 600 Old Master paintings. If you want a Baroque palace without the crowds, this is one of the best choices in northern Bavaria.

Where it is and how to get there

Pommersfelden is a village in Upper Franconia, a short drive from Bamberg. On weekends from May 1, the Steigerwaldexpress public transport service runs, and on weekdays bus line 978 serves the village. The palace website does not specify parking details, so call +49 9548 9818-0 if you plan to drive. Check journey planners for current public transport connections.

Why it matters

Lothar Franz von Schönborn, Prince-Bishop of Bamberg and Archbishop-Elector of Mainz, had the palace built between 1711 and 1718 to plans by Johann Dientzenhofer. The grand staircase was his own idea and was the first of its kind in Germany, with Versailles as its only model. The palace is largely unchanged because of its remote location. The family placed it in a charitable foundation in 1996.

What to see

• The staircase hall: A room that encloses 8,000 cubic meters of space.
• Marble hall and garden hall: Lavish halls preserved with their original furnishings.
• Picture gallery: More than 600 Old Master paintings collected by the prince-bishop.
• Park: Landscaped in English style, with a semicircular stable block and fallow deer.
• Film location: The Netflix series "The Empress" was shot here, and special Sisi tours are offered on selected dates.

Tickets and opening hours (as of October 2026)

The season runs through November 1, 2026. The palace is open Thursday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed Monday to Wednesday. Admission with the guided tour is 14 euros (12 euros reduced); a family ticket is 30 euros and children under 8 are free. Tours start on the hour from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and are limited to 25 people. Regular tours are in German, but you can get a handout in other languages at the ticket desk. After November 1, the palace opens only for groups by arrangement; the 2027 season starts on March 25.

Practical tips

Plan two to two and a half hours for the palace and park. The palace has no heating, so it is much cooler inside than outside in October; bring a warm layer. The interior is not wheelchair accessible.