Arolsen Castle

To make a day of it

Residenzschloss Arolsen stands in Bad Arolsen (Landkreis Waldeck-Frankenberg), in Hesse, Germany. The building is a listed Baudenkmal. Its opening hours and prices were verified at the source on September 21, 2026.

Arolsen Castle stands in Bad Arolsen as the grand baroque residence of the princes of Waldeck and Pyrmont, whose descendants still live there today. Built from 1710 onward on the site of a former convent, following plans inspired by Versailles, the three-winged castle opens onto an English garden centered on a broad landscaped rondel. Visitors can see a museum devoted to the princely house and its notable court library, holding 35,000 volumes spread across five rooms. Nearby, the Christian Daniel Rauch Museum, housed in the former stables, rounds out a visit to the site.

Written from Arolsen Castle

What to know

• The castle is still inhabited by the princely family, so parts of it remain private.
• A visit includes a museum on the House of Waldeck and Pyrmont and the historic court library.
• The Christian Daniel Rauch Museum, in the former stables opposite the castle, can be visited as well.
• The surrounding landscaped park, centered on a large rondel, is open to walk through.
• The site is listed as a Kulturdenkmal in Germany.

Practical information

Visit duration

Not verified

Wheelchair access

Not verified

Dogs

Not verified

Parking

Not verified

Where this château is

Bad Arolsen · Landkreis Waldeck-Frankenberg · Hessen

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Schloßstraße 27, 34454 Bad Arolsen

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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Château phone number

+49 5691 895526

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The safest check before setting off: today’s hours, guided-tour availability, where to park.

4.6 / 5from 647 Google reviews

Heritage status

Kulturdenkmal in Deutschland

Base map © IGN, Géoplateforme

In pictures

Frequently asked

Arolsen Castle: how much is admission?

Free for: free admission for tour guides/bus drivers.

Is Arolsen Castle still inhabited?

Yes, descendants of the princely House of Waldeck and Pyrmont still live there today.

What can visitors see inside the castle?

A museum dedicated to the princely family and the court library, which holds around 35,000 volumes.

Does the castle have a connection to the Netherlands?

Yes, Princess Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont, born at the castle, became Queen of the Netherlands in the 19th century.

Is there anything else to see near the castle?

The Christian Daniel Rauch Museum, housed in the former stables opposite the castle, is also worth visiting.

Sources

Identity, location and official references from Wikidata and the Land's heritage lists.

• This entry in Markdown
• Wikidata Q877026
• Official website

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