Throne room in the imperial apartment of Mannheim Palace

An apartment for state receptionsThe imperial apartment

In the eastern wing of the main building lie four staterooms that form the imperial apartment. Karl Albrecht von Bayern stayed here in 1742, on his way to Frankfurt for his coronation as emperor. Precious tapestries are among its most notable furnishings.

First antechamber of the imperial apartment with the royal silver of Baden at Mannheim Palace

The table is a reminder of its former use as a dining hall.

The first antechamber

In the 18th and 19th century, the imperial apartment was entered through the first antechamber, where the watch was stationed. In the time of the prince-electors, tapestries depicting the twelve months hung on the walls. Since 1806, tapestries depicting farm scenes in the style of David Teniers the Younger from the period around 1735 decorate the room. They are among the original furnishings of the palace from the 18th century and were repurchased from the House of Baden in 1995. Its former use as a dining room by the Grand Duke Carl and Grand Duchess Stéphanie von Baden, the adoptive daughter of Napoleon Bonaparte, is commemorated by the ceremonious silver table setting.

Court Hall in Mannheim Palace

The "Jason series" of tapestries decorates the walls of the Court Hall.

The Court Hall – A waiting room

In the 18th century, the room was used as a second antechamber to the throne room, but also as a dining room. Correspondingly, there are various seating options along the walls. It was not until the 19th century that the antechamber was called the Court Hall, from the French "cour," or "court." Carl Friedrich von Baden purchased the richly detailed tapestries from the collection of Louis René Édouard de Rohan-Guémené, Prince-bishop of Strasbourg, in 1803. They were made in Paris between 1762 and 1767 and depicted scenes from Greek mythology featuring the hero Jason, leader of the Argonauts.

Throne in the throne room of Mannheim Palace

The most important piece of furniture in the imperial apartment.

The throne room

The throne room, also called the audience chamber, is the heart of the imperial apartment. This is where state receptions took place and official state business was conducted. Precious tapestries from the estate of the Prince-Bishop of Strasbourg decorate the walls: Three tapestries are part of the "Jason Series" of the Court Hall, while the fourth shows the "Entrance of Marc Antony." In the time of the Electoral Palatinate, the famous Raffael tapestries, which had been presented as a gift by the French King Louis XV, decorated the walls. The ceiling once held the illustration of the Triumph of the Palatina by the Venetian Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini, which corresponded to the representational character of the audience chamber. Unfortunately, this image was destroyed in World War II.

Grand Cabinet in Mannheim Palace

A magnificent room in silver and yellow.

Grand Cabinet

In the 18th century, the imperial bedroom was once located here. Prince-Elector Carl Theodor had it converted to an elegant cabinet with furniture of embossed silver. The precious decor and the furnishing with yellow damask also led to it being called the "Silver Room" or the "Yellow Room." Beginning in 1856, the room was used for receptions by Grand Duchess Luise. The walls were then draped with six tapestries from Brussels. They depict scenes from the life of Christ. Interesting detail: The last two scenes were originally one tapestry.

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