Ancien Palais impérial allemand ou Kaiserpalast, dit Palais du Rhin

English translation

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History

The former imperial palace, which became the Palais du Rhin in 1920, constitutes one of the highlights of the grand urban planning scheme developed in Strasbourg after 1871 with the aim of creating a vast administrative and residential district north-east of the old town. Architect Hermann Eggert was retained and the definitive project adopted in 1883. Construction took place between 1884 and 1888. The stables were completed in 1885. The building was reconstructed identically after the bombardments of 1944. The vast four-sided structure with three levels is a fine example of eclecticism, in honour in German and Austro-Hungarian official architecture at the end of the 19th century. Rusticated masonry imitated from the Palazzo Pitti in Florence. Renaissance predominance with borrowings from Antiquity. Sculptors Bergmeier, Klein-Riegger and Ottman decorate the eastern façade. The ground floor houses the vestibule of the staircase of honour in Renaissance style and the princely suites. The first floor presents the great audience hall with its cupola opening onto the "balcony of acclamations", the emperor's apartment in Renaissance style, the empress's apartment in Rococo style. The entire western part is reserved for the three great state rooms. The garden was from the outset designed as a historic garden containing a large number of rare species.