Is Ansbach Residence worth it? Yes and No!

Q: Is Ansbach Residence Worth It?

The answer is yes if: You like to add a little opulence and grandeur to your travel itinerary: You'll be in the area, you just can't get enough of Europe's castles! you need a break from tourist crowds. Visit the full article for more reasons to visit, and some reasons why it may not be worth it.

Q: How much time do you need for the Ansbach Residence?

The tour or the interior rooms takes about 45 minutes. Add extra time if you plan to explore the gardens and orangery.

Ansbach isn’t exactly on the list of Germany’s most well-known cities, and so you may not have heard of Ansbach Residence (Residenz Ansbach) palace, and you may be wondering if Ansbach Residence is worth it!

Ansbach Residence Palace, also known as the Markgrafenschloss (Margrave’s Palace), is nestled in the heart of Ansbach, Germany. This four-winged palace complex was once the seat of the Margraves of Brandenburg-Ansbach. The palace is Renaissance style with hints of Viennese Baroque and French Rococo design.

front entrance of the Ansbach Residence — Front Entrance, Ansbach Residence

I lived near Ansbach as a child and there was one item in this small somewhat unassuming but pretty palace that stuck in my memories for around 40 years or so. It was a beautiful baby cradle made of tortoise shell!

So here we are 40 years later, and I decided to make my way back again to see if that beautiful crib was still there. I was delighted to find that it is!

Let’s find out if “it’s worth it” and be sure to keep reading to get all the important details to plan your visit!

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Table of Contents

Is Ansbach Residence Worth It?

Is it worth seeing? in a nutshell:

The answer is yes IF

You like to add a little opulence and grandeur to your travel itinerary
You’ll be in the area (the popular tourist destination of Nuremberg is close by)
You’re like me and just can’t get enough of Europe’s castles!
You want to see that beautiful historic baby cradle with your own eyes!
You need a break from tourist crowds

It may not be worth seeing IF

You must travel very far
You are a bit of a snob when it comes to castles and palaces.

Here’s a little more detail on each point

Yes, it’s worth it

It will make your eyes sparkle

Just as you’d expect, you’ll find some opulence and grandeur within the walls of this palace and get a glimpse into the way the upper crust used to live. The rooms are ornately decorated with porcelain, pottery, busts, chandeliers, tapestries, and loads of gilded “things.”

You’re already in the area

If you are in Nuremberg, it’s an easy trip, either by car or train. If you’re driving from one town to another in the area, Ansbach may be on your route. For example, the town sits between Nuremberg and Dinkelsbühl on the map. If you have a car, it’s only 30 minutes from my favorite town, Rothenburg ob der Tauber to Ansbach.

Get my Ultimate Rothenburg Guide!

You haven’t met a castle or palace you didn’t like!

Me, that’s me! We just happened to have time open up in our schedule so why not???

THE BABY CRADLE

Okay, okay, so it’s not the Book of Kells or the Shroud of Turin but it made enough of an impression on my young self that I never forgot about it in all these years. More on the cradle later!

Baby cradle made from Tortoise shell at the Ansbach Residence. The cradle is orange with golden guilding — a cradle fit for a prince

You’re looking to leave the crowds behind

If you’re like me and tend to avoid crowds, the Residence is a great choice for an outing. When we visited there was just one other couple taking the guided tour.

It may not be worth it

It’s not Germany’s grandest palace

So, I’m kind of a castle (burg) and palace (schloss) junkie. I visit them as often as possible. If I’m going to be nearby, it’s on my itinerary! If I’m being honest this isn’t the most striking or impressive that I’ve been in. However, if you have some time on your hands and are interested in history and art it’s a great way to spend a couple of hours.

Here’s a list of some of Germany’s best fairytale castles!

It may not be worth traveling a long distance

If you’re in the area the palace is definitely worth seeing but I wouldn’t recommend coming from any great distance. There just isn’t a whole lot to do in Ansbach otherwise.

If you’re like me visuals are super helpful in deciding if something is worth my time. You may find this video helpful:

How we ended up at Ansbach Residence Palace

It’s always been in the back of my mind to make my way back to the Residence in search of the tortoise shell crib but we just never seem to be able to fit it into our schedule. Well, it turns out I worked too many days into our Nuremberg stay so we hopped on the train to Ansbach!

Don’t miss the “art” outside

Just outside of the Residenz on Schlossplatz (Ansbach Castle Square) is a large sculpture of a horse. The sculpture is called The Anscavallo and was sculpted by Jürgen Goertz. The name combines “Ans- ” (for Ansbach) and “-cavallo ,” which means “horse” in Italian. (Erection date: July 25, 1993)

Anscavallo Sculpture on Schlossplatz in front of the Ansbach Residence. The horse has a very artsy feel, it almost looks like a Trojan horse and is quite large. — Anscavallo Sculpture

You’ll find several more works of arts on the platz. You’ll also find a bronze tactile model of Ansbach’s old town (Tastmodell Ansbach), two bus shelters with flying ducks on the roof, as well as the Ansbachchantin, a fountain depicting an Amazon woman enjoying wine.

You can view more photos of the Schlossplatz artwork here.

Inside the Residenz

Walking through its halls, visitors are transported to a bygone era where every detail spoke of elegance and ambition. Original furnishings and decor transport visitors to the days of aristocracy gone by.

The ground floor entrance to Ansbach residence at Christmas time. There's a Christmas tree with warm white Christmas lights in a very white room with several arches. The room has a very Rocco feel to, and a white statue in one of the arched recesses. — The ground floor entrance at Ansbach Residence during Christmastime

The main floor of the Ansbach Residence consists of three suites of rooms; the Margrave’s Apartment, the Margavine’s Apartment and the Guest Apartment.

What in the world is a Margrave?

Ok, although the tour was in German I finally had to pipe up and ask about this term that wasn’t completely familiar to me. According to Merriam-Webster a German Margrave is a military governor especially of a German border province and/or a member of the German nobility corresponding in rank to a British marquess.

The guest apartment in the Audience room at Ansbach Residence. The room has wood floors, a fireplace, a gold chandelier, a large gilded mirror and several pieces of pottery including vases. — The guest apartment in the Audience room at Ansbach Residence

The bust of a female at Ansbach Residence. The white bust sits over a doorway in a power blue room. — female bust

Bust of Carl Wilhelm Freidrich (for whom the tortoise shell cradle was made)

a wall mounted sculpture of a stag at Ansbach Residenz. The stag is mounted on an ornate plaque — stage wall plaque

The Audience Chamber at the Ansbach Residence. The Room has ornate burgundy wallpaper, a large portrait of a woman, and a chandelier — The Audience Chamber

The Second Antechamber room in the Argravine at Ansbach Residence. the room has wood floors, and several paintings, the walls have lots of ornate molding — The Second Antechamber room in the Argravine

The art gallery displays works of art from the Rococo period.

The portrait room contains a fireplace, a large gilded mirror, and several paintings on the walls. The walls have green wallpaper with a classic design. — The Portrait Room

The portrait room at Ansbach Residence. The walls have a green damask wallpaper and colorful paintings. — The Portrait Room

The Tortoiseshell Baby Cradle Schildpatt-Wiege
According to Wikipedia “Tortoiseshell has been used to make furniture since ancient times. Tortoiseshell was popular with wealthy ancient Romans for furniture, especially couches for dining, and for small items.”

The ceremonial cradle found at Ansbach Residenz was made by court cabinetmaker Johann Matusch for the birth of Hereditary Prince Carl Wilhelm Friedrich (born May 12, 1712), son of Margrave Wilhelm Friedrich and his wife Christiane Charlotte.

The gilded cradle is crafted with an inlay of red-backed tortoiseshell and engraved pewter. You’ll find the cradle in the bedroom of the Ansbach palace guest apartment, which is part of the guided tour.

the bedroom of the palace guest apartments with the gilded tortoise shell baby cradle. — the gilded tortoise shell baby cradle

The Ballroom, with its grand chandeliers and frescoed ceiling, evokes the splendor of royal festivities.

The Gothic Hall, a remnant of the original medieval complex, now houses a large collection of porcelain and glazed pottery from the former Ansbach Manufactory.

The glamorous Mirror Cabinet, a highlight of the Ansbach palace, dazzles with mirrored panels that reflect light in every direction and a quite large collection of Meißen (Meissen) porcelain.

The spiegelkabinett Grand hall of mirrors at Ansbach Residence. The entire room is absolutely covered in mirrors and porcelain figures. — The Spiegelkabinett (Grand Hall of Mirrors)

The walls of the tiled hall are ornamented with around 2800 tiles from the former Ansbach faience factory.

some of the painted tiles in the tile room at Ansbach Residence. The tiles are colofully painted with birds, deer, rabbits, and fanciful little buildings — some of my favorite tiles in the tile room

‘The equestrian prince’ Exhibit: Margravial horses from the 18th century

This permanent exhibit by the Bavarian Palace Administration presents three stuffed horses who were prized by the resident princes.

photo of 3 stuffed horses (taxidermy) at the equestrian prince exhibit at the Ansbach Residence (Ansbach Residenz) in Germany — Horses on display at the Equestrian Prince Exhibit. Photo courtesy of the Bavarian Palace Administration

Practical Information

Opening hours

April-September: 9 am-6 pm
October-March: 10 am-4 pm

Closed on: Mondays (except: 6 January, Easter Monday, 1 May, Whit Monday, 15 August, 3 October, 1 November) and January 1, Shrove Tuesday, December 24th, 25th and 31st

Cost of Admission

5 € (adults)
Children under 18, Free
(entry fee includes the guided tour)

Guided Tours

If you want to see the palace interiors, you’ll need to take the guided tour. The tour is in German only. Pamphlets are written in English so you can follow along. There MIGHT be one tour a day in English if there aren’t any German speakers on the tour, ask at the ticket office. If you don’t speak German, simply busy yourself with viewing all of the pretty things you’ll see as the guide walks you through the Ansbach palace apartments.

Guided tours from October to March: every hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Guided tours from April to September: every hour from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

How much time do you need for the Ansbach Residence?

The tour of the interior rooms takes about 45 minutes. Add extra time if you plan to explore the gardens and orangery.

When is the best time to go?

The residence is open year-round. Our last visit was during the Christmas market season. I love to add indoor activities to my winter trips to warm up from time to time. Winter isn’t the best time to explore the gardens though. This is better done in spring, summer, or fall.

Photography

You are permitted to take photographs on the tour. (hence my “not the best” photos!)

Accessibility

There are several disabled parking spaces nearby and a barrier-free toilet. There are 2 steps to reach the ticket office. Palace rooms are accessible by lift. The garden paths are paved with gravel. There are no additional services available for the visually impaired and no audio guide available.

You can get more information on accessibility at the Bayern Palace Website.

Restaurant Orangerie

The residence has a terrace in the Court Garden and a café in the Orangery that serves drinks and light snacks like ice cream, coffee, and bakery items but no hot food. In the warmer months you can enjoy your afternoon snack outdoors in the garden.

Restaurant Hours:
12:30 pm – 5:00 pm
(Closed on Monday and Tuesday)

Ansbach Court Garden (Orangerie und Hofgarten Ansbach)

The Ansbach Residence has its own court garden with an orangery and medicinal herb garden. Spring and summer bring blooming flowers. You’ll also find lemon, Seville orange, olive, pistachio, laurel and fig trees in the orangery.

The Baroque garden features manicured lawns and ornate fountains. The garden’s symmetrical layout makes it perfect for a leisurely stroll. If you have time to spare you might simply sit and soak in the tranquility.

aerial view the the gardens at Ansbach Residenz (Hofgarten and Orangerie) shows a baroque garden with a fountain the center, trees surrounding the garden, and the palace in the background — Aerial image of the Orangerie Ansbach (view from the south)

a walking path or alley, paved in gravel with trees towering on either side of the path. at Ansbach Residence — Pathway in the Court Garden

Getting to the Ansbach Residenz

Address:
Promenade 27
91522 Ansbach

Parking (Residenz Ansbach parken)

There are several parking lots within a few minutes walking distance of the Ansbacher Residenz. All of these options have handicapped parking and are paid parking.

Parkplatz Reitbahn, Reitbahn 7
Promenade 21 Parking
Karlsplatz, Karlsplatz 6
Parkplatz Hofwiese, Eyber Strasse 2

Google map screen shot of parking near the Ansbach Residenz Palace, including 4 different options, all with handicapped parking spaces — Google Map of Parking options near Ansbach Residence Palace

Public transportation

The Ansbach Bahnhof is an 8-minute walk (600 meters). Buses stop just outside of the palace. You can plan your train and bus travel on the Deutsche Bahn (DB) website and app, or on Rome2Rio.

Getting to the Ansbach Residence from Nuremberg

Most visitors to the area spend at least some time in Nuremberg. If you will be headed to Ansbach from Nuremberg, simply head to the main train station (hauptbahnhof) and purchase a ticket, either from the machine or from the service desk. It’s a direct train ride between Nuremberg and Ansbach (no transfer required!) and the trip lasts about 39 minutes)

Ansbach Palace History

Here’s a little further information about the castle’s history for you history buffs. Originally built as a medieval castle in the late 14th century, the moated castle was eventually transformed into a Renaissance-style palace between 1565 and 1575 under the direction of architect Blasius Berwart.

Significant renovations occurred in the 18th century, led by architects Gabriel de Gabrieli, Karl Friedrich von Zocha, and Leopold Retti. Retti’s unique style led to the name “Ansbach Rococo”.

These changes gave the palace its current Baroque and Rococo appearance, including the addition of the Mirror Cabinet and the Ballroom. The palace gardens were also redesigned during this period, incorporating elements inspired by the Grand Trianon at Versailles.

The palace served as the residence of the Margraves of Brandenburg-Ansbach until 1791, when Ansbach became part of Prussian territory. Later, in 1806, it was incorporated into Bavaria and became the administrative seat of Middle Franconia. At this time, the palace apartments essentially became frozen in time.

Nearby attractions

If you’re looking for more things to do in Ansbach you may find these of interest:

St. Gumbertus Church: This historic church is known for its stunning Gothic architecture, beautiful stained-glass windows, and an intricately crafted wooden altar.
Herpa Miniaturenmuseum: Located nearby in Dietenhofen, this museum showcases an impressive collection of miniature models, including vehicles and airplanes. (19 km from Ansbach)
Markgrafen Museum: Dive into Ansbach’s history at this museum, which features exhibits on local pottery, knight’s armor, and more.
Raubtier- und Exotenasyl: A unique wildlife sanctuary that provides a home for exotic animals and big cats. It’s a great spot for animal lovers.
Onoldia Fountain: This Baroque-style fountain, dedicated to the Roman goddess Onoldia, is a beautiful landmark surrounded by gardens.
St. Ludwig Church: A peaceful and beautifully designed church with pre-war frescoes.

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