»The world of Wilhelmine«

Welcome to the Margravine's palaces and gardens


Tourist information / General information

Main information:

Things to know about your visit

Current information

 

Waterworks in the Hermitage restricted

Due to the drought, the waterworks at Hermitage Court Garden are unfortunately only in operation as follows:
Basin at the New Palace: 12 noon-4 pm · Lower Grotto: 12.15 pm-4.15 pm
Inner Grotto of the Old Palace: shortened demonstration

Sanspareil: Oriental building being renovated

Due to renovation work, the Oriental Building at Sanspareil will unfortunately not be accessible to visitors in 2025.


Current notes on the Margravial Opera House: World Heritage & Museum

Bayreuth Baroque Opera Festival (4-14 September 2025)

Festival website: www.bayreuthbaroque.de

The Margravial Opera House: World Heritage & Museum can be visited during the festival and the preparations (without a guided tour). Please note that technical work and rehearsals may take place during your visit.

Reservations for groups and guided tours will not be offered from 22 August to 16 September 2025.

From 18 August 2025 the historically recreated scenery will not be visible. Due to rehearsals and work for the Bayreuth Baroque Opera Festival, the Margravial Opera House: World Heritage & Museum will be closed to the public at these times.

Maintenance work (17-19 September 2025)

Due to maintenance work, restrictions on visiting the Opera House are to be expected from 17 to 19 September. The stage and the historically recreated scenery will not be visible. The Iron Curtain may be closed.


Picture: Margravine Wilhelmine

»The world of Wilhelmine«

 

Welcome to the Margravine's palaces and gardens

 

Margravine Wilhelmine, the legendary sister of Frederick the Great, was without a doubt one of the most outstanding women of the 18th century. Wilhelmine's successes were achieved not in politics, however, but in the intellectual and artistic world. She represented an epoch of change, the Age of Enlightenment. The highly talented margravine also participated actively in all the arts: she painted, composed, wrote plays, acted and directed.

In only two decades, Margravine Wilhelmine of Bayreuth together with her husband Margrave Friedrich, transformed Bayreuth into a residential seat of European standing.

Well-known buildings such as the Margravial Opera House: World Heritage & Museum, the New Palace in the Bayreuth Rococo style and the Hermitage and Sanspareil parks still bear eloquent witness of their achievement.


Information for people with a handicap

Here you will find some information to prepare your visit to Margravine Wilhelmine's palaces and gardens if your mobility is restricted or if you are visually or hearing impaired.


Link to the film page

Short films about »The world of Wilhelmine«

Spectacular aerial views and impressive interior views give you exclusive insights behind the palace walls and a great view of otherwise hidden details. The magnificent gardens also come into their own here in a special way.

to the short films


Picture: Garden Museum Fantaisie, Vase, Meißen, around 1878

Garden plans

Plan of Bayreuth Court Garden     Plan of the Hermitage    Plan of Fantaisie Park

Plan of Sanspareil Rock Garden (with Oriental Building and Zwernitz Castle)

 

Photography and filming

Taking pictures of the outside of the palaces for private use does not require a permit. Photo and film shoots taken for further use as well as the flying of drones / multicopters are basically subject to approval and charges. Here you will find information on photography permits / film permits.

We also provide you with image and film material that you may use free of charge on your own website under certain conditions; click here to download image material or download footage.

 

Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available at "Residenzplatz", in the entrance area of the New Palace, in parts of the adjacent Court Garden and in the Margravial Opera House: World Heritage & Museum.

 

Dogs

Dogs and other animals are not allowed in any of the buildings. We cannot offer supervision for animals brought along. Please keep dogs on a lead in the gardens and parks.


 
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