Can you tour the Rotes Schloss like a typical castle?

No, the building now houses a research library and its study centre rather than a castle visitor route.

What is the connection between the Rotes Schloss and Johann Sebastian Bach?

Bach lived there as court chamber musician and organist between 1702 and 1703, when the building served as lodging for members of the ducal court.

Who commissioned the Rotes Schloss?

Duchess Dorothea Susanne had it built between 1574 and 1576 as her widow's residence after the death of her husband, Duke Johann Wilhelm I.

Red Castle

Weimar

Visit

Hours to be confirmed

Book a visit

You are leaving for the château’s own website

Where: Weimar

Hours and prices not verified at the source yet.Check on the official website

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

Sleep nearby

Rotes Schloss stands in Weimar (Weimar), in Thuringia, Germany. Its opening hours and prices have not been verified at the source yet.

The Rotes Schloss stands in Weimar, in Thuringia, on what is now Platz der Demokratie. Built during the Renaissance as a widow's residence for Duchess Dorothea Susanne, it still bears the combined coat of arms of the duchess and her husband, Duke Johann Wilhelm I, above its portal. The building later housed members of the ducal court, including the musician Johann Sebastian Bach for two years, before serving various administrative offices. It now contains the research library and study centre of the Herzogin Anna Amalia Bibliothek.

What to know

The building now houses a research library rather than a conventional castle exhibition.
The Renaissance portal still displays the combined coat of arms of Duchess Dorothea Susanne and Duke Johann Wilhelm I.
The visible east wing partly reflects a nineteenth-century rebuilding by court architect Coudray.
The site lies in the historic centre of Weimar, close to the Residenzschloss and the Anna Amalia Library.

Where this château is

Weimar · Weimar · Thüringen

Loading the map…

This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Markt 15, 99423 Weimar

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

Get directions View on a map

5.0 / 5from 1 Google reviews

Heritage status: Protection status unknown

Frequently asked

Can you tour the Rotes Schloss like a typical castle?: No, the building now houses a research library and its study centre rather than a castle visitor route.
What is the connection between the Rotes Schloss and Johann Sebastian Bach?: Bach lived there as court chamber musician and organist between 1702 and 1703, when the building served as lodging for members of the ducal court.
Who commissioned the Rotes Schloss?: Duchess Dorothea Susanne had it built between 1574 and 1576 as her widow's residence after the death of her husband, Duke Johann Wilhelm I.