Rosenau Palace

Built sometime around 1420 by the ruling elite of ‘Rosenawe’, Rosenau Palace in the Bavarian town of Rödetal is one of Germany’s earliest and most impressive examples of Romantic Historicism architecture.

Rosenau Palace history

For 300 years it remained in their ownership until 1704 when it was sold as a summer home to a member of Albert V, Duke of Saxe-Coburg’s Privy Council, though it had fallen into a state of disrepair. It remained ostensibly as the medieval seat of the Lords of Rosenau until 1805 when Francis, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld bought it.

Between 1808 and 1817 the schloss was remodelled in the Neo-Gothic style under the stewardship of renowned Prussian architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel.

In August 1819, Francis’ daughter-in-law Princess Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg gave birth to Prince Albert at Rosenau, where he would spend his childhood alongside his brother Ernest.

21 years later he married his first cousin Queen Victoria in 1840. When the pair visited in 1845, Victoria loved Rosenau so much that she wrote in her diary ‘If I weren’t the person who I am, my home would be here.’

Rosenau Palace today

Rosenau Palace opened as a museum in 1990 and is open for visitors to explore today.

Highlights include the 3 aisles of the Marble Hall, the beautiful parquet flooring, the private apartments complete with original Viennese Biedermeier furniture, and the magnificent English-style landscaped gardens. The Swan Lake, the Prince’s Pond, the orangery and parts of the hermitage remain from the 19th century rebuild.

For an important slice of European history and the view the childhood home of Prince Albert, Rosenau Palace is a must-see.

Getting to Rosenau Palace

Rosenau Palace is located near the town of Rodental in Bavaria, Germany, and can be accessed via the 4 or 73 main roads. Rodental train station is a 20-minute walk away, while the 720 bus service stops at Rodental, Goebel, a 17-minute walk away.