Meersburg New Palace was reopened in 2012 after extensive renovations. State Palaces and Gardens of Baden-Württemberg restored the former residence as the jewel of the Lake Constance region, now with event rooms and a museum.
Newly renovated: the pediment crest.
In August 2010, the New Palace was shrouded in tarps: Construction had begun. The 18th-century roof truss, which was altered several times and had been damaged by water, was in very bad condition. The Appiani fresco in the ceremonial hall also had to be saved. The facade facing the lake was improved with extensive masonry and stucco repairs, and the central pediment crest was restored. Finally, the windows were repaired and the stucco and masonry were repainted.
A royal setting for concerts.
After reopening, the palace presented itself in a new light: as a welcoming space, a conference venue, and an event site. This required accessibility improvements to the building and lake terrace, updates to the conference and kitchen areas as well as the bathroom facilities. The palace shop and a small café are now located on the ground floor. The installation of new technology in a historical building framework proved especially challenging. However, a museum, installed in the bel étage, is a highlight and offers spectacular exhibits.
Precious collector's pieces on display in the porcelain cabinet.
The exhibition in the bel étage presents multifaceted information about the palace and the lives of its inhabitants. Topics include the Baroque hunt, music, wine and viticulture, as well as relations between town and the court. A special showpiece is the bishops’ natural history cabinet, which houses an amazing collection of historic shells, snails and fossils. The porcelain cabinet is outstanding. The Baroque sovereign used this cabinet to display valuable porcelain and ivory pieces.
Exhibit pieces from the 18th century.
The furnishings include many pieces original to the palace, and which were believed to be lost, such as ceremonial wine vessels, figures of Chinese gods and a flintlock pistol from 1730. More than 100 18th-century pieces once again reflect the wealth of the former collection at Meersburg Palace. Paintings by Andreas Brugger, which once hung above the apartment doors, now hang in the bel étage again.
Andreas Brugger's painting “Receiving the soldiers” on display again in the bel étage.
In addition to permanent exhibitions, the palace also offers interesting temporary exhibits. Current exhibit schedules can be found in the events calendar.
