Residenzpalais (Kassel)

The Residenzpalais was a palace in Kassel, Germany, which served as the main residence of the Electors of Hesse-Kassel, and later the Prussian Monarchs.

The complex consisted of three buildings: The White palace was built by Simon Louis du Ry for general von Jungken between 1767 and 1769.

[1] When Crown Prince William succeeded as Elector of Hesse after his father's dead in 1821, he halted the construction of the Chattenburg palace due to its high costs.

[1] Its interior, designed in Empire style, was created with help of Daniel Engelhard and Julius Eugen Ruhl, with the finishing touches completed by 1837.

After the annexation of the Electorate of Hesse by Prussia in 1866, the Residenzpalais was used by the Prussian monarchs, who frequently stayed at nearby Wilhelmshöhe Palace.

During the Allied bombing raids on the night of August 27–28, 1942, both palace buildings were severely damaged, burning down to their masonry.

[2] However, neither the Hessian state government nor the Kassel city administration showed interest in preserving the building.

[2] Remnants of the dismantled ramp railing from the White Palace are kept in the storerooms of the Hessian State Museum in Kassel.

[2] Additionally, according to local tradition, the front door of a house on Niederkaufunger Kirchplatz is said to have originated from the Residenzpalais.