Schlossmuseum Braunschweig

The Schlossmuseum Braunschweig stands in the restored Residenzschloss in the city of Braunschweig, Lower Saxony. It occupies the first floor of the north wing, where the most representative rooms of the former Welfenresidence have been reconstructed. Around 600 square metres display original furniture ensembles, artworks and informative media. The museum tells the story of the Welf residence in the 19th century, the castle’s eventful history and the dukes who lived there. The collection draws on loans from several regional museums and foundations. Important pieces came back after being sold at the 2005 Welfen auction on Marienburg. The museum’s concept separates teaching spaces from showrooms, creating a clear route through the history of the castle, the duchy and the Welf dynasty. The rooms follow the late-classicist style of the 1830s and 1840s, with colours and details taken from original plans. Visitors enter the north-west teaching rooms: the White Hall, Green Salon and Gallery. The White Hall has red, white and gold wall colours and painted tent ceilings with swan motifs. The Gallery hides maps and a Welf family tree behind folding paintings of Italian landscapes. Beyond the Vestibule, the northern showrooms form an enfilade of ducal apartments. The Music Room is light and personal, the Study darker in green tones, and the Audience Chamber gleams with gilded furniture. The Thronsaal at the end is a near-complete reconstruction with red silk wallpaper, a new ceiling and throne canopy, and the returned gilded furniture. An audio guide explains each room without glass cases, letting the historic interiors speak for themselves.