Welcome to the online exhibition, "The Mad Princes of Brunswick and Lüneburg." The exhibition offers a sneak peak of some of the interesting characters who have been associated with the dynasty of Brunswick and Lüneburg over the years. You are warmly invited to visit Wolfenbüttel Palace to learn more about the dynasty and experience a unique example of high baroque architecture.
Wolfenbüttel Palace has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. Some sort of fort has existed here since at least 1191, when it was first occupied by the House of Guelph. In 1283, the fort was developed into a moated castle by Duke Henry the Admirable (1267-1322), and the palace remained the Wolfenbüttel residence of the Dukes of Brunswick and Lüneburg for almost 500 years, until 1754. During the reign of Duke Friedrich Ulrich (1591-1634, r. 1613-34), Wolfenbüttel was occupied by enemy troops in the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648). After Friedrich Ulrich’s death in 1634, some of the territory, including the ducal residence, was still in enemy hands. Numerous efforts to return these holdings failed, and it took nine years of negotiations before Friedrich Ulrich’s successor, August the Younger (1579-1666, r. 1635-66), was able to move into the palace and commence repairs to both the palace and the surrounding city.
With August the Younger’s rebuilding and further renovations by subsequent generations of dukes, Wolfenbüttel Palace now houses Lower Saxony’s only state and private apartments in the high baroque style.
There is much more to see and learn—we look forward to welcoming you to the palace in person!