Discover Ansbach: Residence history, music and museums

Ansbach brings together Margravial history, collections and music. The Margrave Museum, the Residence and the Court Garden reveal different sides of the city’s history, while the Bach Week and Rococo Festival add their own cultural highlights. If you’re looking for a hotel in Ansbach, you might first consider which of these themes you’d like to shape your stay.

Museums and Residence History

The Margrave Museum presents the history of the city and the Principality of Ansbach. It features a Kaspar Hauser section and collections from the Margravial era; both areas are accessible. This brings together two distinct subjects: the history of the principality and the section on Kaspar Hauser.

The “Ansbach Ceramics Collection Adolf Bayer” is on display in the Gothic Hall of Ansbach Residence. It includes the largest collection of faience and porcelain from the former Ansbach manufactory. Other highlights of the Residence include a ceiling fresco by Carlo Carlone in the banqueting hall and the Picture Gallery, a branch gallery of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

Architecture and Garden Design

The Ansbach Orangery was built in the early 18th century by Carl Friedrich von Zocha, based on French models. Its north side is inspired by the colonnades of the Louvre, while the south side takes its cue from the Grand Trianon at Versailles. The two sides thus refer to different architectural models.

The Ansbach Court Garden also tells a story of changing design ideas. From 1724, it was redesigned in the Baroque style and later transformed into an English landscape garden. Today, elements of both periods can be found there. Those interested in garden design can therefore see both the Baroque layout and the later landscape design.

Music, Festivals and City Tours

Founded in 1947, Bach Week Ansbach is one of the most important festivals dedicated to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and his era. During Bach Week, Ansbach becomes an international meeting place for Baroque music, musical discoveries and contemporary concert culture. The Rococo Festival offers a different focus: magnificent costumes, Baroque music, historic dances and theatrical scenes bring to life the splendour of the Margravial court and the era of the “Wild Margrave,” Carl Wilhelm Friedrich of Brandenburg-Ansbach. The festival takes place against the backdrop of the Orangery.

The “Ansbach for First-Time Visitors” city tour includes a visit to the former court church of St. Gumbertus, with exclusive views inside the Swan Knight Chapel and the princely crypt. It also takes in the synagogue and the late-medieval Beringershof. If you’re planning to join this tour, check the current dates.

On the Ansbach Bratwurst Tour, you’ll learn interesting facts and curious details about the origins and production of Ansbach bratwurst, as well as the city’s innkeeping traditions. A 60-minute city tour is followed by a tasting: the bratwurst is grilled or served as “Blaue Zipfel” and seasoned with salt, pepper, marjoram and allspice. It’s worth checking the current dates for this tour, too.

Getting Around and Leisure

The Ansbach Tourist Information Office provides information about the city’s history and the city tours on offer. It is located in the Stadthaus, in the heart of the Old Town at Johann-Sebastian-Bach-Platz.

The Aquella leisure pool in Ansbach offers a wave pool, a current channel, swimming and children’s pools, and a 73-metre-long slide year-round. As facilities may change, check the current operating details before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Schillingsfürst, Unterschwaningen, Burgoberbach, Burk, Wittelshofen, Sachsen bei Ansbach, Insingen, Dietenhofen

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