Wilhelmsburg Castle, Schmalkalden

Above the old town of Schmalkalden stands a castle that the centuries have passed by almost without a trace. Landgrave William IV of Hesse began building the Wilhelmsburg as a secondary residence in 1584, and because it was hardly used later on, it has survived almost in its original state. It is regarded as one of the most important Renaissance ensembles in central Germany. The highlights are the painted halls, the splendid palace church and an organ that has been playing since 1590.

History: a castle for the Landgraves of Hesse

In 1583 the Landgraves of Hesse became sole rulers of Schmalkalden. William IV had the medieval Waltaff castle demolished and began the new building in 1584. The palace church was consecrated on 23 May 1590, marking the start of the castle's use, although the furnishings were not yet complete. His son Maurice finished the complex with its service buildings and terrace garden by 1618. After that the landgraves used the castle only occasionally and gave it up altogether in the early 19th century. It has served as a museum since 1873 and has belonged to the Thuringian Palaces and Gardens Foundation since 1994.

What to see

• Four-winged layout: Four identical stair towers in the courtyard give access to the rooms. Instead of the galleries usual at the time, you pass through antechambers into the apartments and halls, already arranged as an enfilade on the first floor, a principle that became standard only in the Baroque.
• Halls: The walls are decorated with strapwork and ornamental painting by the Hessian court painters Caspar van der Borcht, Georg Cornet and Jost vom Hoff.
• Palace church: Furnished by Wilhelm Vernuken, it is one of the oldest Protestant palace churches in Germany. Altar and font, pulpit and organ are stacked one above the other on a single axis for the first time here, a model for many later Protestant churches.
• Renaissance organ: Built by Daniel Meyer of Göttingen and first played at the church's consecration in 1590. Its sound is shaped by 252 wooden pipes, six stops and the "Vogelschrey" (birdsong stop).
• Terrace garden: On the southern slope, the garden was restored in its basic structure by 2015, with the upper terrace following a design drawing from 1672.

Good to know

Originally the roofline was much livelier, with around 15 dormer gables. Around 1820 the roof was rebuilt and the corner gables removed; only the White Room above the White Hall survived with its stucco. In the cellar the museum shows a copy of the Iwein cycle, a wall painting from around 1205 whose original is in the Hessenhof in the old town, currently closed to the public. The permanent exhibition also covers the Schmalkaldic League, the alliance of Protestant princes and cities in the Reformation era.

Opening hours and tickets (as of October 2026)

• April to October: daily 10:00–18:00; November to March: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–16:00. Last entry 60 minutes before closing.
• Closed on 24, 25 and 31 December; open 13:00–16:00 on New Year's Day.
• Admission: €8, reduced €6, family ticket €20, children under 6 free.

Getting there

The castle is at Schlossberg 9, above Schmalkalden's old town. From the old town it is a short walk uphill.

Tripto tip

Allow two hours for the castle and garden. Start in the courtyard to see the four stair towers, and save the palace church for a quiet moment. Afterwards, walk down through the terrace garden, which looks out over the rooftops of the old town. Do not arrive too late, as last entry is one hour before closing.