Ansbach Travel Guide

1 more image

The Residence of the Margraves of Ansbach were under reconstruction and revitalization while we visited, so unfortunately couldn't take a very good look at the exterior of this palace since the scaffolding was blocking the view. We did however take the 50-minute guided tour into the interior, no photographs were permitted, and the guided tour was in German. Luckily I had the pleasure of a best friend accompanying me and giving me the translations, as well as a english guide i could read while touring. Great history and phenomenal art within. I was quite impressed. According to the brochure: "The Residence of Ansbach originated as a medieval complex. The large Gothic Hall with its ribbed vault, in which the largest collection of faience and porcelain from the former Ansbach Manufactory is now on display, was built in around 1400. The medieval complex was redesigned as a modern residence between 1705 and 1730. The Ansbach Residence is primarily famous for its outstanding interiors, most of which were designed by the architect Leopoldo Retti and completed
between 1734 and 1745. It is no accident that the furnishings are so well preserved and stylistically consistent: in 1791 the last margrave of Brandenburg- Ansbach abdicated and handed over his lands to the kingdom of Prussia. The palace was now no longer the seat of the ruler and there was seldom cause to modernize the state apartments. The main floor of the Ansbach Residence consists of three suites of rooms which were used separately for official ceremonies: the Margrave’s Apartment, the Margavine’s Apartment and the Guest Apartment. Particular highlights of the palace are the ceiling fresco by Carlo Carlone in the Festival Hall, the art gallery with works of art from the rococo period and paintings from the former margravial gallery, and the collection of Meißen porcelain in the Mirror Cabinet. The Court Garden of Ansbach was already being written about at the beginning of the 16th century, when it featured in the famous herb book of Leonhart Fuchs. Between 1723 and 1750 it was redesigned as a large baroque garden. It was badly damaged in the Second World War but the baroque parterre has been restored. The style of the 17th and 18th centuries has been recreated with ornamental flowerbeds planted with many different varieties of flowers and over 150 tub plants. At the main entrance there is an attractive herb garden with numerous medicinal plants. The many tub plants are housed during the winter in the adjacent new citrus house." The tour was great and the palace is well kept even though it is rarely used these days. On occasion, after the restorations especially, they do plan to host events there. The tour guide was friendly and very knowledgeable. Rating: 4 stars out of 5. Definitely a must-see if in Ansbach.

There are a few small parking lots on the outer edges of the old city. It was recommended that we instead park in the large parking garage of the nearby Bruecken Center mall and cross over the pedestrian bridge into the old city. It was easy to do and a good beginning point to enter the old city.

1 more image

hours of operation: Mo. - Sa. 9.30 - 20.00 Uhr

We actually came to this mall to park in its huge garage. This mall has over 1800 parking spaces. It was easy to park here and cross the bridge over into the old city.

The mall houses over 70 shops. Some inside, and some outside.

What to buy: A variety of stores and eateries are here.

2 more images

Underneath the Gumbertuskirche is a crypt called the Grablege der Markgrafen or Ansbacher Markgrafengruft. Here some very important people are buried, with their caskets/coffins available for you to view during set hours with a custodian present to tell you the histories. They ask for a Euro donation for the opening viewing, students are free. Rating: 5 stars out of 5.