Ehrenburg Palace

Coburg, Germany, Germany

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Ehrenburg Palace is one of Coburg’s most important historic landmarks and served as the main residence of the Dukes of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha from the mid-16th century until 1918.

Built between 1543 and 1547 on the site of a former Franciscan monastery, it was reportedly named “Ehrenburg” (Palace of Honour) by Emperor Charles V because it was constructed without forced labor. Over the centuries, the palace was expanded and redesigned several times. After a fire in 1690, it was transformed into a grand Baroque residence, and during the 19th century it received its striking Neo-Gothic façade designed by architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel.

Its elegant interiors include richly decorated state rooms, a magnificent chapel, and the famous Hall of Giants. The palace is closely linked to European royalty, particularly Queen Victoria and the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Today, it is a museum open to visitors, offering insights into the lives of the ducal family and the important role Coburg played in European dynastic history.