Württembergisches Palais
Encyclopedia
The Württembergisches Palais (also known as the Herzogspalais) is an early 19th century Neoclassical-style
palace
in the Western District of Regensburg
in Bavaria
's Upper Palatinate
. The palace complex includes the Herzogspark
, a municipal park with a Renaissance
garden and a medieval tower known as the Prebrunnturm. Württembergisches Palais is the seat of the Natural History Museum of East Bavaria .
, Georg Friedrich Ritter von Müller, acquired the site of the present Herzogspark, which at that time marked the outskirts
of Regensburg. According to its specifications, it connected to the adjacent estates of the princely house and created a park. In the southern part of the park, master builder Emanuel Herigoyen constructed the present palace for Karl Theodor Anton Maria von Dalberg
. Construction of the palace was completed in 1806.
After Müller's death in 1843, Maximilian Karl, 6th Prince of Thurn and Taxis
's sister Duchess Maria Sophia of Württemberg
acquired the palace and made it her residence following her divorce from Duke Paul Wilhelm of Württemberg. It is from Maria Sophia that the palace takes its present name, Württembergisches Palais.
The city of Regensburg acquired the palace and its surrounding park in 1932. Regensburg left the property to the Natural History Society of Regensburg in 1961 because of its extensive collection of gardens. From 1986 to 1991, the palace underwent extensive renovations.
Biedermeier
elements excavated during the palace's renovation. From the palace's 60 m² ballroom
, visitors are able to view west into the adjacent park.
The palace houses the natural history museum's geological, botanical, and zoological exhibits, numerous antiques, and historical research apparatuses. Also housed on the property are extensive collections of old scientific prints, drawings, and books.
Neoclassicism
Neoclassicism is the name given to Western movements in the decorative and visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture that draw inspiration from the "classical" art and culture of Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome...
palace
Palace
A palace is a grand residence, especially a royal residence or the home of a head of state or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop. The word itself is derived from the Latin name Palātium, for Palatine Hill, one of the seven hills in Rome. In many parts of Europe, the...
in the Western District of Regensburg
Regensburg
Regensburg is a city in Bavaria, Germany, located at the confluence of the Danube and Regen rivers, at the northernmost bend in the Danube. To the east lies the Bavarian Forest. Regensburg is the capital of the Bavarian administrative region Upper Palatinate...
in Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
's Upper Palatinate
Upper Palatinate
The Upper Palatinate is one of the seven administrative regions of Bavaria, Germany, located in the east of Bavaria.- History :The region took its name first in the early 16th century, because it was by the Treaty of Pavia one of the main portions of the territory of the Wittelsbach Elector...
. The palace complex includes the Herzogspark
Herzogspark
Herzogspark is a municipal park, with small botanical garden, located on the banks of the Danube at the western edge of the old city, at Hundsumkehr Strasse, Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany....
, a municipal park with a Renaissance
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
garden and a medieval tower known as the Prebrunnturm. Württembergisches Palais is the seat of the Natural History Museum of East Bavaria .
History
In 1804, the finance director of the Princely House of Thurn and TaxisThurn und Taxis
The Princely House of Thurn and Taxis is a German family that was a key player in the postal services in Europe in the 16th century and is well known as owners of breweries and builders of many castles.- History :...
, Georg Friedrich Ritter von Müller, acquired the site of the present Herzogspark, which at that time marked the outskirts
Outskirts
Outskirts may refer to:* The outskirts of a city, also known as the rural-urban fringe* Outskirts, by the Canadian country rock band Blue Rodeo* The Outskirts, a 1933 Soviet film directed by Boris Barnet...
of Regensburg. According to its specifications, it connected to the adjacent estates of the princely house and created a park. In the southern part of the park, master builder Emanuel Herigoyen constructed the present palace for Karl Theodor Anton Maria von Dalberg
Karl Theodor Anton Maria von Dalberg
Karl Theodor Anton Maria von Dalberg was Archbishop-Elector of Mainz, Arch-Chancellor of the Holy Roman Empire, Prince of Regensburg, primate of the Confederation of the Rhine and Grand-Duke of Frankfurt.-Biography:...
. Construction of the palace was completed in 1806.
After Müller's death in 1843, Maximilian Karl, 6th Prince of Thurn and Taxis
Maximilian Karl, 6th Prince of Thurn and Taxis
-Titles and styles:*3 November 1802 – 13 November 1805: His Serene Highness Prince Maximilian Karl of Thurn and Taxis*13 November 1805 – 15 July 1827: His Serene Highness The Hereditary Prince of Thurn and Taxis...
's sister Duchess Maria Sophia of Württemberg
Princess Maria Sophia of Thurn and Taxis
Princess Maria Sophia Dorothea Caroline of Thurn and Taxis was a member of the House of Thurn and Taxis and a Princess of Thurn and Taxis by birth and a member of...
acquired the palace and made it her residence following her divorce from Duke Paul Wilhelm of Württemberg. It is from Maria Sophia that the palace takes its present name, Württembergisches Palais.
The city of Regensburg acquired the palace and its surrounding park in 1932. Regensburg left the property to the Natural History Society of Regensburg in 1961 because of its extensive collection of gardens. From 1986 to 1991, the palace underwent extensive renovations.
Architecture
The two-story palace consists of three wings, which are obtusely linked. Also of architectural note are the roundabout oak staircase and the stuccoStucco
Stucco or render is a material made of an aggregate, a binder, and water. Stucco is applied wet and hardens to a very dense solid. It is used as decorative coating for walls and ceilings and as a sculptural and artistic material in architecture...
Biedermeier
Biedermeier
In Central Europe, the Biedermeier era refers to the middle-class sensibilities of the historical period between 1815, the year of the Congress of Vienna at the end of the Napoleonic Wars, and 1848, the year of the European revolutions...
elements excavated during the palace's renovation. From the palace's 60 m² ballroom
Ballroom
A ballroom is a large room inside a building, the designated purpose of which is holding formal dances called balls. Traditionally, most balls were held in private residences; many mansions contain one or more ballrooms...
, visitors are able to view west into the adjacent park.
The palace houses the natural history museum's geological, botanical, and zoological exhibits, numerous antiques, and historical research apparatuses. Also housed on the property are extensive collections of old scientific prints, drawings, and books.