Palais Branconi

The origins of the plot where Palais Branconi stands date back to 1228, when the Holy Spirit Hospital was first mentioned there. Prince Leopold III Friedrich Franz of Anhalt-Dessau relocated the hospital between 1794 and 1795 and had the old buildings demolished. Following plans by Friedrich Wilhelm von Erdmannsdorff, a Neoclassical city palace was completed in 1797, which the Prince entrusted to his travel marshal Anton von Branconi. After several changes of ownership, the palace was converted into a variety show and theater venue in the early 20th century and opened in 1904 as the “Kristallpalast.” After a fire at the court theater in 1922, Palais Branconi temporarily served as a performance venue.