Wilhelmsburg Castle in Schmalkalden

Wilhelmsburg Castle Museum

Wilhelmsburg Castle towers above the medieval town center of Schmalkalden.
Built between 1585 and 1590 as a secondary residence of the Hessian landgraves, the castle is regarded as a unique jewel among Germany's Renaissance castles due to its almost completely preserved exterior, its original interior room structure, as well as its magnificent wall paintings and stuccowork.

History

The ballrooms, the manor kitchen, but above all the impressive three-story castle church are a feast for the eyes. In the castle church of Wilhelmsburg Castle, the Protestant creed was implemented architecturally for the first time: the altar, pulpit and organ are arranged vertically on one axis. Opposite it, the Hessian landgrave attended the service in his lordship gallery.
The Renaissance organ, which was first played on May 23, 1590, is one of the oldest wooden organs in Europe that can still be played. Organ concerts are held regularly as part of an international concert series.

The permanent exhibition at Wilhelmsburg Castle Museum not only takes visitors back to the time of the Reformation, Martin Luther, and the Schmalkaldic League but also to the court of the Hessian landgraves. The term "court" encompasses the courtly household, the residence, and the entirety of the people surrounding the prince and his family.
In Schmalkalden, history was made in the 16th century. The Schmalkaldic League, founded in 1530, was the first major protective alliance of the Protestant estates. In 1537, Martin Luther stayed in the town for several weeks on the occasion of one of the most important meetings of the League. It was here that he first read out his Schmalkaldic Articles, as a confession of faith of the Protestant estates, which found their way into the Book of Concord of the Protestant Church in 1580.

Read more ...