Elisabeth-Anna-Palais
Encyclopedia
The Elisabeth-Anna-Palais is a secular red-brick building in Oldenburg
, Lower Saxony
.
, but Frederick Augustus
(from 1900 the last ruling grand duke of Oldenburg) decided to build this as their new home, on a site now on line between the Schloss and the Augusteum. It was built between 1894 and 1896 to plans by the duke's chief architect Ludwig Freese. Its design imitates Baroque architecture
and its southeastern corner (today its left-hand entrance) has an onion-dome-topped tower. During construction Frederick Augustus's wife Princess Elisabeth Anna of Prussia
(1857–95) died and the new building was named in her memory. On 24 October 1896 Frederick Augustus moved into the new residence with his family and his second wife Duchess Elisabeth Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
(born 1869, daughter of Frederick Francis II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
).
However, revolutionaries forced the grand duke to raise the red flag from the flagpoles of the Palais and the Schloss on 8 November 1918 and three days later he renounced his dukedom and retired to his Schloss Rastede
at Rastede
. After his resignation the Palais was used for other purposes. The kitchen wing to the east of the main building was demolished in the early 1960s to make room for the new "Schlosswall" street, though the Palais was now sited right on this new road and thus gained a new entrance. The Palais now houses the Sozialgericht Oldenburg.
Oldenburg
Oldenburg is an independent city in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is situated in the western part of the state between the cities of Bremen and Groningen, Netherlands, at the Hunte river. It has a population of 160,279 which makes it the fourth biggest city in Lower Saxony after Hanover, Braunschweig...
, Lower Saxony
Lower Saxony
Lower Saxony is a German state situated in north-western Germany and is second in area and fourth in population among the sixteen states of Germany...
.
History
Usually the ducal family resided in Schloss OldenburgSchloss Oldenburg
Oldenburg Castle is a castle in the German city of Oldenburg in the state of Lower Saxony. It is the former residence of the counts , dukes and grand dukes of Oldenburg.-External links:...
, but Frederick Augustus
Frederick Augustus II, Grand Duke of Oldenburg
Frederick Augustus II was the last ruling grand duke of Oldenburg. He married Princess Elisabeth Anna of Prussia, daughter of Princess Maria Anna of Anhalt-Dessau and Prince Frederick Charles of Prussia...
(from 1900 the last ruling grand duke of Oldenburg) decided to build this as their new home, on a site now on line between the Schloss and the Augusteum. It was built between 1894 and 1896 to plans by the duke's chief architect Ludwig Freese. Its design imitates Baroque architecture
Baroque architecture
Baroque architecture is a term used to describe the building style of the Baroque era, begun in late sixteenth century Italy, that took the Roman vocabulary of Renaissance architecture and used it in a new rhetorical and theatrical fashion, often to express the triumph of the Catholic Church and...
and its southeastern corner (today its left-hand entrance) has an onion-dome-topped tower. During construction Frederick Augustus's wife Princess Elisabeth Anna of Prussia
Princess Elisabeth Anna of Prussia
Princess Elisabeth Anna of Prussia was a German princess. She was the second child of Prince Frederick Charles of Prussia and Princess Maria Anna of Anhalt-Dessau...
(1857–95) died and the new building was named in her memory. On 24 October 1896 Frederick Augustus moved into the new residence with his family and his second wife Duchess Elisabeth Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Duchess Elisabeth Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Duchess Elisabeth Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin was a daughter of Frederick Francis II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg by his third wife Princess Marie of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt...
(born 1869, daughter of Frederick Francis II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Frederick Francis II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Frederick Francis II was a Prussian officer and the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, reigning from 7 March 1842 until 15 April 1883.-Biography:...
).
However, revolutionaries forced the grand duke to raise the red flag from the flagpoles of the Palais and the Schloss on 8 November 1918 and three days later he renounced his dukedom and retired to his Schloss Rastede
Schloss Rastede
Rastede Castle is a castle at Rastede near Oldenburg, Germany. It was a residence of the rulers of Oldenburg....
at Rastede
Rastede
Rastede is a municipality in the Ammerland district, in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is situated approx. 12 km north of Oldenburg. It is the site of the Schloss Rastede.-References:...
. After his resignation the Palais was used for other purposes. The kitchen wing to the east of the main building was demolished in the early 1960s to make room for the new "Schlosswall" street, though the Palais was now sited right on this new road and thus gained a new entrance. The Palais now houses the Sozialgericht Oldenburg.