Großherzogliches Palais, Baroque palace in Heidelberg, Germany

The Großherzogliches Palais is a Baroque building begun in 1717 by architect Louis Rémy de la Fosse and completed in 1719, standing on Karlsplatz. Its facade was later remodeled in a Classical style after 1805, when it became the palace of the Grand Dukes of Baden.

The palace was begun around 1717 by Darmstadt architect Louis Remy de la Fosse for Philipp Karl von Hundheim, who sold the shell in 1718 to Adamo Ernst von der Sachs and his wife, who completed it by 1719. In 1768 it passed to Elector Karl Theodor, who housed the Landschreiberei there. From 1805 it served as the palace of the Grand Dukes of Baden, who modernized the facade in Neoclassical style. Since 1909 it has been the seat of the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences.

Since 1909 the building has been the seat of the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences, founded that year as the state's learned society. Its members are elected scholars who meet here for sessions and research projects. The palace on Karlsplatz thus carries on a scientific use that began in the early 20th century.

The building is located on the southern side of Karlsplatz in central Heidelberg and is easily accessible from multiple directions. Its central location makes it simple to combine a visit with other destinations in the old town.

The building passed through several phases under different noble families before becoming state property and taking on a new role as a research center. This transformation from a private aristocratic residence to a scientific institution exemplifies how historic buildings have been repurposed over time.