Residenz Ellingen
Just north of Weißenburg, Residence Ellingen is one of Bavaria’s finest Baroque palaces – and one of its least crowded. Built for the powerful Teutonic Order in the early 1700s, it has barely changed in 300 years.
What to see and do
- 🎟️ Guided Tour of the Residence Interior: The main event. Hourly guided tours (in German) through the stately rooms and ceremonial halls.
- 🌸 Stroll the Palace Park (Schlosspark): A serene landscaped park, free to enter, that’s especially spectacular in early spring when a magical carpet of blue Siberian squills (alpine squills) blooms beneath the old trees.
- 🗺️ Kulturzentrum Ostpreußen (East Prussian Cultural Centre): A separate museum housed in the west wing of the residence, dedicated to 800 years of East Prussian history, art, and culture.
- 📸 Explore the Old Town of Ellingen: Ellingen’s Baroque townscape is remarkable in its own right, with around 150 protected buildings.
Guided Tours of the Residence 🎟️
The only way to see inside Residenz Ellingen is on a guided tour, which departs every hour on the hour. Tours are conducted in German and last approximately 45-60 minutes. The tour route takes you through a series of magnificent state rooms which represent what art historians rank among the most important early Classicist interior ensembles in Bavaria.
Practical info:
- 🌐 Official Website: schloesser.bayern.de/englisch/palace/objects/ellingen.htm
- 💶 Admission (2026): €6 regular | €5 reduced | Under 18: Free
- 📬 Address: Schloßstraße 9, 91792 Ellingen
Schlosspark Ellingen (Palace Park) 🌸
Entry to the palace park is free and it is open year-round. The park is beautifully laid out with old-growth trees, manicured paths, and a tranquil atmosphere ideal for a relaxed walk before or after your tour.
Spring highlight: In late March and early April, the ground beneath the old trees transforms into a breathtaking blue carpet of alpine squills (Scilla siberica) One of the most spectacular natural displays in Franconian Bavaria and not to be missed if you visit around Easter.
schloesser.bayern.de/englisch/garden/objects/ellingen.htm
Kulturzentrum Ostpreußen (East Prussian Cultural Centre) 🗺️
Housed in the west wing of the Residenz, the Kulturzentrum Ostpreußen is a standalone museum dedicated to over 800 years of East Prussian history, culture, nature, and art – entirely separate from the palace tour but sharing the same address. Three floors of permanent exhibits with cultural events throughout the year.
- 🌐 Website: kulturzentrum-ostpreussen.de
- 💶 Admission (2026): €4.5 regular | €3 reduced | Under 18: Free
Fürst Carl Rallye 🏎️
💡 Tip By Author Elias: Each year around Easter, Ellingen comes alive with the Fürst Carl Rallye, a car rally that uses the grounds of the Residenz as its central service park. The backdrop of the Baroque palace makes for a uniquely atmospheric spectacle. If your trip coincides with Easter weekend, this is a wonderful bonus.
Website of the Organizer MSC Jura
Map
Getting There
By Train 🚆
Ellingen has its own small station: Ellingen (Bay), served by regional trains on the Nuremberg-Treuchtlingen-Augsburg main line. This makes it very accessible by rail. The station is a short walk (~10 min) from the Residenz.
From Nuremberg (Nürnberg Hbf):
- Take a regional train (RB or RE) towards Treuchtlingen / Augsburg – journey time approx. 35-45 minutes
From Weißenburg:
- Weißenburg is only ~10 km away; regular trains connect the two stations in under 10 minutes
💡 Plan your connection at bahn.com
Parking 🅿
A public car park is available on site, south and west of the Residenz. Approx. 60 spaces. Disabled parking is available approximately 75 meters from the ticket office.
Gallery
History
Ellingen’s story begins in 1216, when the town and its land passed to the Teutonic Order (Deutschorden), a powerful medieval military and religious order. For over five centuries, Ellingen served as the seat of the Landkomtur (Territorial Commander) of the Order’s Bailiwick of Franconia . After Napoleon dissolved the Holy Roman Empire, Ellingen passed to the Kingdom of Bavaria in 1806, and in 1815 King Maximilian I Joseph gifted the estate to his celebrated field marshal, Carl Philipp, Prince of Wrede, who redecorated the interior rooms with Parisian wallpapers, silks, furniture, bronzes, and glassware.
What Else to Explore Nearby
Ellingen is ideally positioned in the Franconian part of the Altmühltal Nature Park for a satisfying full-day or weekend trip. Here’s what to combine with your visit:
Weißenburg in Bayern 🏛️
The nearest town of any size, Weißenburg punches well above its weight for sightseeing:
- Römermuseum Weißenburg: Houses the famous Weißenburg Roman Treasure, discovered in 1979. 17 bronze figurines of gods, sacred vessels, and everyday Roman artefacts.
- Römische Thermen (Roman Baths): Among the best-preserved Roman bath complexes in southern Germany. Covered by a protective canopy, walkable via elevated walkways, with a 3D film and interpretive displays.
- Weißenburg Old Town: Attractive medieval Reichsstadt (free imperial city) with preserved city walls, towers, and a handsome market square.
- Wülzburg Fortres: A remarkably intact Renaissance fortress on a hilltop just outside Weißenburg, with sweeping views over the Jura plateau.
Further reading
Credits
Photos in order of appearance: (You can also click on each photo for more info)
1: castle.guide / CC BY 4.0, 2: castle.guide / CC BY 4.0, 3: Photo Details / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Cropped), 4: Photo Details / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Cropped), 5: Photo Details / CC BY-SA 3.0, 6: Photo Details / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Cropped), 7: Photo Details / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Cropped), 8: Photo Details / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Cropped)