8 photos

Johannisburg Castle

Construction of the Johannisburg castle lasted from 1605 to 1614. The works cost a considerable amount – around 23 million euro in today’s money! Today Johannisburg is considered one of the most vivid examples of palace architecture of German Renaissance. This is one of the first castles in Germany that was built with a single design. Magnificent complex from red sandstone is notable for strict forms and almost ideal proportions.

The legend has it that in 1631, at the very end of the Thirty Years’ War, Aschaffenburg was seized by the Swedish king Gustav II Adolf. By that time the entire nobility had already left the town, that’s why it was only father superior of the Capuchin monastery, Bernhard von Trier, who came to meet the invaders as the first person. In conversation with him Gustav Adolf complained that he would have to burn the newly constructed castle down. But he had no other way out – he would not be able to take the castle with him. In reply to that the resourceful monk said that the castle only needed a push and pointed to the images of wheels decorating the windows of the first floor – symbol of the archbishop of Mainz. Swedish monarch liked the courage and wit of the monk so much that he decided to spare the castle, and the entire Aschaffenburg together with it.

 

Today several sections of the castle are opened for visitors. You must see the art gallery with its gem – the largest collection of paintings by Lucas Cranach sr. in Europe (9 paintings). Castle museum also functions here. Based on comments, visitors are most impressed by an unusual collection of cork wood models of famous Roman constructions. Court confectioner Carl May started creating it at the end of the 18th century, while his son Georg May finished in 1854. Among 45 monuments of architecture reproduced with extremely high precision there are Coliseum, Pantheon, triumph arcs honouring emperors Titus, Septimius Severus and Constantine.  

Address
Schloßpl. 4
63739, Aschaffenburg
Opening Hours
Now - closed
Tue 04:00-14:00
Wed-Sun 07:00-17:00
Nearby
300 m
Baaila
Coffee shop • Café
+49 6021 4399413
Payment methods:
210 m
Der Biersepp
Inn • Biergarten • Catering
+49 6021 4942460
Payment methods:
450 m
La Dolce Vita
Restaurant
+49 6021 4511200
Payment methods:
300 m
Die Kartoffel
Tavern
+49 6021 29317
Payment methods:
300 m
Asiapalast
Restaurant
+49 6021 5825598
Payment methods:
500 m
Town Residence Schönborner Hof
Museums and Exhibitions
250 m
Cafe Caro
Restaurant • Vegetarian restaurant
+49 6021 28283
Payment methods:
450 m
Limon
Restaurant • Pizzeria • Catering
+49 6021 5858560
Payment methods:
350 m
Wirtshaus Wurstbendel
Restaurant
+49 6021 4486701
Payment methods:
200 m
Pomodoro e Basilico
Pizzeria
+49 6021 7714682
Payment methods:
180 m
Lebenswert
Restaurant • Bar • Café • Catering
+49 6021 7718686
Payment methods:
400 m
Cena Elements
Restaurant
+49 6021 4512270
Payment methods:
300 m
Zum goldenen Mops
Restaurant • Bar • Lounge
+49 6021 22488
Payment methods:
300 m
Cestino di Carmen
Bar • Café
+49 6021 4431367
Payment methods:
450 m
Locanda Aschaffenburg
Restaurant
+49 6021 4516800
Payment methods:
450 m
Pompejanum
Architectural Monuments
180 m
Schlossgass 16
Restaurant • Biergarten • Wine bar
+49 6021 12313
Payment methods:
350 m
Bambuscafé
Café
+49 6021 74771
Payment methods:
300 m
Casa Vittoria
Restaurant • Bistro • Café • Catering
+49 6021 219184
Payment methods:
350 m
30 Leut'
Bar • Café
+49 179 7441230
Payment methods:
300 m
Knusprisch!
Coffee shop • Café
+49 6021 452670
Payment methods:
300 m
Oechsle
Restaurant • Biergarten • Hotel
+49 6021 23132
Payment methods:
350 m
S-salon
Snack Bar • Snack bar • Café
+49 6021 3779405
Payment methods:
400 m
Sushi Ba
Sushi bar
+49 6021 580313
Payment methods:
150 m
Brotbox
Snack Bar • Café
+49 6021 8626452
Payment methods:
10 m
Restaurant Schlossweinstuben
Restaurant • Banquet room
+49 6021 12440
Payment methods:
350 m
Vivere
Restaurant • Tapas-bar • Café
+49 6021 3713456
Payment methods:
180 m
Weinstube Kitz
Restaurant
+49 6021 23326
Payment methods:
2.9 km
Schönbusch Park
Parks and recreation
300 m
Marquesas
Restaurant • Bar • Catering
+49 6021 26782
Payment methods:
190 m
Büttvino
Restaurant • Bar
+49 6021 31730
Payment methods:
240 m
Jedermann
Restaurant • Wine bar
+49 6021 7933489
Payment methods:
350 m
Hannebambel
Inn • Bar
+49 6021 21570
Payment methods:
400 m
Church of St. Peter and Alexander
Architectural Monuments • Museums and Exhibitions