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Founded: 11th centuryCategory: Palaces, manors and town halls in Germany
Historical period: Salian Dynasty (Germany)
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The Imperial Palace of Goslar (Kaiserpfalz Goslar) is a historic building complex at the base of Rammelsberg Hill in Goslar. Built in the 11th century, it served as a key residence for the Holy Roman Emperors, particularly the Salian dynasty. Chronicler Lambert of Hersfeld once described it as the “most famous residence in the empire.” The complex originally included the Kaiserhaus, the Church of Our Lady, the Palace Chapel of St. Ulrich, and the Collegiate Church of St. Simon and St. Jude.
The Kaiserhaus, restored in the late 19th century, is the largest surviving secular Romanesque building of its time, featuring a grand two-storey hall used for imperial functions. Adjacent to it were residential quarters, religious buildings, and administrative facilities for the emperor’s court. The nearby Collegiate Church, consecrated in 1051, was once the largest Romanesque church east of the Rhine. Only its north porch remains today.
The Palace Chapel of St. Ulrich features a rare double-chapel design, and holds the heart of Emperor Henry III in an octagonal gold capsule, buried here at his own request. The now-vanished Church of Our Lady was connected to the Kaiserhaus and served the imperial family. The site also included canons’ residences, stables, and various curia buildings, all enclosed by a wall.
Several major events occurred at the palace, including the birth of Emperor Henry IV in 1050, and the start of the Investiture Controversy. The palace fell into decline by the late 13th century, was damaged by fire, and used for storage and judicial purposes for centuries. Large portions were demolished or repurposed, though some, like the Chapel of St. Ulrich, survived as a prison, preserving them inadvertently.
Restoration of the Kaiserhaus began in 1868 and was completed in 1879. Today, the palace is one of Goslar’s top tourist attractions. It houses exhibits, guided tours, and a replica of the medieval imperial throne. In 1992, the palace district was recognized as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural and architectural value. A sculpture by Henry Moore, the Goslar Warrior, has stood in the palace gardens since 1975.
Duino Castle was built by the Wallsee family in 1389 on the cliffs overlooking the Gulf of Trieste. It replaced an older castle from the 11th century. Over time, the Wallsee family disappeared and the castle, after having been used as a prison, became the residence of the Luogar and Hofer.
At the end of the 19th century it became the property of Prince Alexander von Thurn und Taxis from the Czech branch of the House of Thurn and Taxis. It remains with the family to this day with his great-grandson Prince Carlo Alessandro della Torre e Tasso, Duke of Castel Duino the current owner. The castle has been opened to the public as a museum and park.