Werneck Palace

Werneck, Germany

The current baroque palace, Schloss Werneck, designed by Balthasar Neumann, was built in 1733–45 by Prince Bishop Friedrich Karl von Schönborn. For half a century it was, with Veitshöchheim, a summer residence of the Bishops of Würzburg.

Beginning in 1853, the palace was converted into a hospital for the mentally ill. The hospital is thus one of the oldest psychiatric institutions in Germany. In 1940, the approximately 800 patients were murdered on the orders of Otto Hellmuth, Gauleiter of Mainfranken, as part of the Nazi elimination of mentally ill and handicapped people, Action T4.

Today the grounds of the palace, including the Baroque garden and English-style park, may be visited, as may part of the palace, chiefly the chapel, which dates to 1744.

References:

Wikipedia

Address

Balthasar-Neumann-Platz 1, Werneck, Germany

See all sites in Werneck

Details

Founded: 1733-1745
Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in Germany
Historical period: Thirty Years War & Rise of Prussia (Germany)

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Micha Hinz (9 months ago)
To say the least, I was amazed by this beautiful facility. Who expects there to be such a castle in this place??? So I definitely don't - definitely a MUST!!!!

Muneer al rawahy (2 years ago)
It’s a best orthopedic hospital, i had an appointment with professor Heinnrich and everything was great

Oana Rivera (2 years ago)
Beautiful relaxing place

Fabrícius Viana Maia (rangerfantasma) (6 years ago)
Much history.

Stefi Gudeva (6 years ago)
Beautiful!

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Photo from Flickr, copyright Following Hadrian

Historic Site of the week

Walls of Constantinople

The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople (today Istanbul) since its founding as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. With numerous additions and modifications during their history, they were the last great fortification system of antiquity, and one of the most complex and elaborate systems ever built. They were also the largest and strongest fortification in both the ancient and medieval world.

Initially built by Constantine the Great, the walls surrounded the new city on all sides, protecting it against attack from both sea and land. As the city grew, the famous double line of the Theodosian Walls was built in the 5th century. Although the other sections of the walls were less elaborate, they were, when well-manned, almost impregnable for any medieval besieger.