Electoral Palace

The Electoral Palace is a baroque building with a symmetrical layout, two long wings, and corner pavilions that enclose a central courtyard lined with arcaded passages. The complex spans several hundred feet and occupies a major portion of the university grounds.

An earlier palace on this site was destroyed in 1689 during the siege of Bonn, after which Prince-Elector Joseph Clemens commissioned a new building. The rebuilt residence took shape over the following decades under architects Enrico Zuccalli and Robert de Cotte.

The palace takes its name from its former role as the residence of prince-electors and shapes how the university presents itself today. You see students walking through the arcaded passages daily and gathering in the courtyards.

The building now serves as the main structure of the University of Bonn, housing various departments and faculties. Visitors can freely explore the outer areas and central courtyard, though access to interior spaces may be limited depending on university activities.

Hidden within the arcaded sections are art collections and historical rooms that offer glimpses into the princely past. These spaces become accessible during special tours that reveal connections between the baroque residence and the modern university.

Location: Bonn

Architects: Enrico Zuccalli, Robert de Cotte

Architectural style: baroque architecture

Elevation above the sea: 60.5 m

GPS coordinates: 50.73370,7.10269

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:51