Wilhelmsburg Castle, Renaissance royal palace in Schmalkalden, Germany
Wilhelmsburg is a four-winged castle situated on a hill above the medieval town center with a square floor plan and interior courtyards. The building now houses a museum with exhibitions on art, crafts, and local history.
Construction began in 1584 under Landgrave William IV of Hesse-Kassel as a replacement for the earlier Waltaff Castle and was completed in 1618. The new building marked a turning point in regional architecture and territorial development.
The castle chapel reveals how Protestant communities organized worship, with the altar, pulpit, and organ arranged in a distinctive spatial layout. Visitors can observe today how this arrangement shaped both the room and religious practice.
The site is easily accessible on foot and offers visitors with different mobility needs various entry options. It is advisable to check seasonal opening times before your visit, as they vary.
The organ in the castle chapel dates from 1590 and ranks among the oldest functioning wooden organs in Central Europe. Music sounds there regularly during concerts and special occasions.
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