Karlsruhe Palace

Karlsruhe Palace is an 18th-century princely residence in the centre of Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, originally built from 1715 as the seat of the Margraves of Baden. The palace forms the focal point of the city’s radial urban plan, with boulevards and avenues radiating outward from the palace forecourt.

The palace houses the Badisches Landesmuseum, a regional museum occupying restored state rooms and galleries with collections spanning local archaeology, applied arts and regional history. The adjoining Schlossgarten park provides formal gardens and promenades in the city centre and is a common route for visitors moving between the palace, museum and downtown.

Construction began under Margrave Karl Wilhelm in 1715 and the palace remained the dynastic residence of Baden’s rulers through the grand ducal period until the monarchy ended in 1918. The building has undergone alterations and restoration over centuries, including repair after damage sustained in World War II, followed by postwar restoration and adaptation for museum use.

• Founding date: The city of Karlsruhe was founded in 1715 around the palace, which was built as the residence of Margrave Karl Wilhelm and remained the seat of Baden rulers until 1918.
• City layout: The palace sits at the center of Karlsruhe's distinctive radial city plan, with streets laid out to radiate outward from the palace forecourt.

What to See #

• Badisches Landesmuseum: Contains a regional history and art collection tracing Baden's past from prehistory to modern times, installed across restored palace rooms and museum galleries.
• Schlossgarten: A formal park directly in front of the palace with tree-lined promenades that forms the central green space of the city and connects to radial streets laid out from the palace.