Tour of the City

The Kurfürstliche Schloss (Electoral Castle) was built during the years 1720-1760 under the Electors Carl Philipp (1661-1742) and Carl Theodor (1724-1799) and is the largest self-contained baroque complex in Germany. This remarkable seat of residence reflects the political ambition of the Palatinate-Wittelsbach monarchs. The extensive palatial buildings and grounds are indicative of the status of their constructor, the sovereign imperial prince.

Facing northwards into the city, with its impressive Ehrenhof (courtyard) and extensive annexes to the east and west wings, the castle with its sheer size easily dominates the inner city. The 440 metre long frontage to the building can be glimpsed from at least seven parallel streets that run through the city. A suitably representative entrance-hall to the castle is formed by the Rittersaal (Knight's Hall), which extends outward to the north and, on the south side facing the former gardens and the Rhine, has a rounded form. Tower-like pavilions mark those points where the wings and annexes are joined to the central structure. Originally, the central building (Corps de logis) with its mansard roof clearly stood out from the rest of the building. The overall effect the building was designed to have has been greatly diminished by the gable roof added after the war and the tearing down of the guardhouses in 1958.

The successive proprietors of the castle invested much time and energy in developing extensive annexes and ornate interior decorations and furnishings. Notable examples are the stuccoed ceilings, the elaborate Rittersaal, the sumptuous staircase, the many frescos, the large castle chapel, the canvas ceiling paintings, valuable Gobelin tapestries, carved furniture made of solid silver, paintings above the doors and ornate parquetry.

The arts and sciences flourished during the Mannheim reign of Carl Theodor of the Palatinate (1724-99) and his consort Elisabeth Auguste. It was during this period that the Mannheim orchestra, which achieved world fame with its technical excellence and superb soloists, was founded. The enormously successful and influential Mannheim composers of that time, the 'Mannheim School', are now considered to be the forerunners of the classical period in musical history.

Large parts of the castle were destroyed during World War II. Reconstruction was successfully completed in 1968. The city of Mannheim receives visiting dignitaries in the Rittersaal, and the Federal State Government of Baden-Württemberg also makes use of the restored official reception halls of the castle. A large part of the castle is used by the University of Mannheim, providing an ideal setting for its more than 13,000 students.