Koblenz Palace is one of the most important palaces in southwest Germany.
Address: Electoral Palace, Neustadt 24, 56068 Koblenz | Built: 1777 to 1793 | Architectural style: Neoclassical
The Electoral Palace in Koblenz is one of the most important palaces of the French Early Neoclassical period. It is one of the last residential palaces built in Germany immediately after the French Revolution. The Electoral Palace was renovated for the 2021 Federal Garden Show to restore it to its former glory. During the renovation, a magnificent palace garden was created along the Rhine, based on a historical model. The palace’s rooms are now used for various events held in a historic setting. This magnificent building captivates visitors with its unique character, which is reflected in its architectural style and brings bygone eras back to life.
Directions and location of Koblenz’s landmark
The Electoral Palace, with its palace gardens, stands impressively on the left bank of the Rhine, right in the center of Koblenz’s old town. The area is extensively bordered by the B49, Neustadt, and Stresemannstraße. The Rhine Gardens stretch toward the Rhine, inviting visitors to stroll. Those heading from the main train station to the Electoral Palace can walk along Hohenzollernstraße, Rizzastraße, and Am Mainzer Tor to reach Neustadt and the Electoral Palace. The walk takes approximately 15 minutes.
Opening Hours and Tours
The interior of the Electoral Palace cannot be visited. The rooms can only be booked for events such as conferences or weddings. Since the Federal Garden Show, the central part of the palace has been accessible. However, there are certain opening hours during which visitors can take a look inside. From the outside, the unique, magnificent building can be admired at any time. The palace gardens are also not accessible at all times.
Opening Hours
Electoral Palace Opening Hours
Daily from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Palace Garden Opening Hours
Daily from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
During the day, visitors can enjoy coffee specialties and cakes in the small café in the Electoral Palace.
Admission Fees
There is no admission charge for a tour of the palace grounds and a glimpse of the interior.
Guided Tours of the Electoral Palace
No guided tours of the Electoral Palace itself are offered.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about the Electoral Palace in Koblenz
When was the Electoral Palace in Koblenz built?
The Electoral Palace in Koblenz was built in the 18th century, more precisely between 1777 and 1793 during the reign of Elector Clemens Wenceslaus.
Electoral Palace – Special Features and Interesting Facts
The Electoral Palace is one of the most special sights in Koblenz. Located directly on the Rhine, it can be viewed from various perspectives, for example, on a boat tour. Only from the banks of the Rhine can the immense scale of the building be truly appreciated.
The rectangular main building, adorned with columns, extends at the sides into a semicircular shape known as circular wings. The architecture of Early French Classicism is impressive, with all elements flowing seamlessly into one another and merging into a unique image.
The building’s façade, which faces the city, features a portico with eight columns, as tall as the building itself. The six columns facing the Rhine are also impressive. A unique relief by the sculptor Sebastian Pfaff completes the building. With a little architectural understanding, the 39 axes of the main building can be identified. Five of these are designed as side projections.
The palace’s interior is adorned with a sash. The two semicircular side wings are not connected to each other and form a wide-open entrance to the Electoral Palace. The open form is almost inviting, inviting visitors to take a closer look at the palace and explore its unique architecture.
This area, facing the Rhine, is framed by an enchanting palace garden. A variety of plants and flowering plants compete with each other, giving the palace park a very special flair. A stroll through the palace park reveals enchanting, terraced flowerbeds and pretty fountains. The park is a wonderful place to linger, relax, and enjoy the magnificent view of the Rhine.
Historical Information and History of the Electoral Palace
The Electoral Palace was built by the last Archbishop and Elector of Trier, Clemens Wenceslaus of Saxony, at the end of the 18th century. The residence, built in the French Early Classicist style, is one of the most important palace buildings in southwest Germany. Along with the palace in Münster and Wilhelmshöhe Palace in Kassel, the Electoral Palace in Koblenz was also built before the French Revolution.
The Electoral Palace in Koblenz was completed in 1793. However, with the outbreak of the French Revolution, the last Archbishop and Elector had to leave the palace in 1794. The property served as the seat of Prussian government between 1832 and 1842.
Since the Prussian royal family considered the Electoral Palace a suitable residence, the interior rooms were remodeled and redesigned accordingly. The palace complex was largely destroyed by air raids on Koblenz during World War II. Reconstruction began in 1950. The reconstruction was carried out precisely according to the original templates and blueprints, restoring the Electoral City Palace to its unique beauty. The crowning achievement of the restoration work was the newly landscaped palace gardens, which were also restored according to the original plans. The Electoral Palace has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002.
Sights and attractions in the immediate vicinity of the Electoral Palace
After a long stroll through the palace gardens and a tour of the Electoral Palace, there are even more interesting things to discover near the palace complex.
Directly below the palace gardens are the Rhine Gardens and the Palace Steps on the Rhine bank. It’s a lovely place to linger and watch ships leisurely cruising across the Rhine. It also offers a unique view of the other side of the Rhine with its wooded slopes and the sights located there.
If you walk from the Electoral Palace to the Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer, you’ll come across another imposing building from a bygone era. This is the Prussian Government Building, located in the Rhine Gardens directly on the Rhine. Built in the Neo-Romantic style, the historic building boasts unique architectural features. The Prussian Government Building is always a great photo opportunity.
Anyone walking from the Electoral Palace toward Peter-Altmeier-Ufer can’t miss the Schängelbrunnen fountain on Willi-Hörtel-Platz. In the center of the fountain is a bronze statue of a boy, created by Carl Burger in 1940. The fountain was erected in honor of the Koblenz poet Josef Cornelius, and a closer look reveals some special details.
Cafés and Restaurants Near the Electoral Palace
After a tour of the Electoral Palace and a visit to the palace grounds, restaurants near the palace grounds provide a wide range of food and drinks. Guests are offered a wide selection of food and drinks. Some restaurants offer exclusive views of the Rhine, and in good weather, you can even sit outside.
Restaurant Pegelhaus
Not far from the Electoral Palace, on Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer, lies the Restaurant Pegelhaus. In this historic 19th-century building, guests are served steaks, burgers, delicious side dishes, and salads in a casual atmosphere. With a view of the Rhine, you can enjoy the delicious delicacies from the kitchen.
Address: Restaurant Pegelhaus, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 1
Buffalo The Steakhouse
For tasty grilled steaks and delicious side dishes, Buffalo on Deinhardplatz is the perfect place. The cozy restaurant offers good service, an extensive salad buffet, and, weather permitting, the outdoor terrace is also open. The extensive drinks menu includes delicious wines, various beers, and non-alcoholic beverages.
Address: Buffalo Das Steakhaus, Deinhardplatz 1
Cowboys Burger Salon on Casinostraße is a charming Wild West-style restaurant. The menu features hearty, homemade burgers prepared with love. You can also opt for a delicious salad and French fries. Served with a cold beer, the experience is perfectly rounded off.
Address: Cowboys Burger Salon, Casinostraße 45
Restaurant La Gondola
La Gondola is an Italian restaurant located at Rheinstraße 4-6. Homemade pasta dishes are prepared in a very tasty way. The menu also includes pizza, grilled fish, Italian meat dishes, prawns, and other culinary delicacies. Even when the weather isn’t so great, you can sit outside and enjoy the specialties from the kitchen on the covered terrace.
Address: Restaurant La Gondola, Rheinstraße 4-6
The restaurant Der Grieche, located at Rheinstraße 2A, offers its guests a tasteful indoor ambiance and a spacious outdoor terrace. The menu is varied, offering delicious grilled vegetables, gyros, bifteki, salads, and other Greek delicacies. There is also an extensive drinks list. Delicious Greek delicacies can be enjoyed here with a view of the Rhine.
Address: Restaurant Der Grieche, Rheinstraße 2A