Meininger Museen

The Meininger Museen occupies Schloss Elisabethenburg, a Baroque castle from the 17th century with roughly 50 rooms filled with art historical collections. The building itself displays the typical layout of a ducal residence with different sections devoted to paintings, objects, and theater artifacts.

Duke Anton-Ulrich of Saxony-Meiningen began acquiring artworks from Vienna and Frankfurt in the 17th century and gradually built a significant collection. The castle later became the place where these works were displayed and made available to the public.

The museums display works by artists such as Ferdinand Bol and Abraham Breughel that belonged to the ducal collection. Visitors can see how these paintings are arranged within the castle's historic rooms and get a sense of the artistic taste of its former inhabitants.

The complex houses multiple museums that are best explored in a connected tour through the building. The best time to visit is on quieter weekdays when you can enjoy the rooms without large crowds.

The building holds a collection of stage designs and costumes from the famous Meiningen Theater Company, which performed across Europe in the 19th century. These theatrical objects show how this innovative troupe revolutionized performances at European courts.