Schloss Johannisburg
Schloss Johannisburg | |
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Bayerische Verwaltung der staatlichen Schlösser, Gärten und Seen | |
Design and construction | |
Architect(s) | Georg Ridinger |
Schloss Johannisburg is a
Location
Schloss Johannisburg is located in the city of Aschaffenburg, in the district of Lower Franconia of the state of Bavaria, Germany. It is situated in the center of the city, overlooking the river Main.
History
The palace was erected between 1605 and 1614 by the architect Georg Ridinger for Johann Schweikhard von Kronberg, Archbishop of Mainz. The considerable expense came from the taxes of his fief: Eichsfeld, Erfurt and the Mainzer Oberstift (the part of the Electorate administered from Aschaffenburg) made the largest financial contributions. A keep from the destroyed 14th-century castle that had formerly stood on the site was included in the construction and is the oldest part of the castle.[1] The prior castle had been burned down along with most of the town on 10 August 1552 by the troops of Albert Alcibiades, Margrave of Brandenburg-Kulmbach.[2]: 73
Until the
Karl Theodor von Dahlberg, Archbishop of Mainz in 1803, retained the territory of Aschaffenburg — turned into the newly created Principality of Aschaffenburg — and was awarded other territories in compensation for territories west of the Rhine, including Mainz, which were annexed by France. From 1810 to 1813, Aschaffenburg was part of the Grand Duchy of Frankfurt. Aschaffenburg and Schloss Johannisburg then passed to the Kingdom of Bavaria.
During the reign of
The palace was nearly destroyed by US artillery in the closing days o f World War II. Rebuilding started in 1951 and took more than twenty years.[1][2]: 74
Description
Schloss Johannisburg is one of the few mostly symmetrical palace buildings of the German Renaissance. The castle sits on a terrace overlooking the river, which Ridinger expanded in area and height, elevating the castle above even the highest flood lines. Four wings surround an almost square interior court. The buildings have three floors each with the exterior structured only by
Small round stairway towers are located in the four corners of the court. The Schlosskirche or chapel is in the north wing. It extends through the ground and upper floor, with a rib vault referencing Gothic style. The chapel's altar, made from alabaster and marble, is by Hans Juncker . It features a statue of Johann Schweikhard von Kronberg, holding a model of the castle.[2]: 74
The castle is built from Buntsandstein, notably from the quarries of Obernburg and Miltenberg. Although the exterior walls are largely devoid of ornamentation, numerous artistic carvings were added to the gables and the gateways.[2]: 74
Today
The castle is one of the main attractions of Aschaffenburg and its landmark. Schloss Johannisburg is one of the most important buildings of the Renaissance period in Germany.[1]
Schloss Johannisburg is open to the public and hosts several museums: Staatsgalerie Aschaffenburg, a gallery of paintings (with works by Lucas Cranach the Elder), the Paramentenkammer of the palace chapel (with vestments from the former treasury of Mainz Cathedral), the residential rooms (furnished in Neoclassical style) and the Municipal Palace Museum (arts and handicraft). There is also the world's largest collection of architectural models made from cork, built by court confectioner Carl May and his son after 1792.[4]
References
- ^ a b c d "Aschaffenburg – Johannisburg Palace" (PDF). Bayerische Verwaltung der staatlichen Schlösser, Gärten und Seen. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
- ^ ISBN 3-7701-0746-2.
- ^ "König Ludwig I (German)". Stadt Aschaffenburg. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
- ^ "Johannisburg Palace". Bayerische Verwaltung der staatlichen Schlösser, Gärten und Seen. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
External links
- Official website (in German and English)