Arolsen Castle

The origins of the palace date back to 1131, when the church village of Aroldessen and an Augustinian convent were mentioned on this site. Count Philipp III of Waldeck-Eisenberg secularized the convent between 1526 and 1530, transforming it into a palace. This predecessor building was demolished in 1710 to make way for the current Baroque palace. Master builder Julius Ludwig Rothweil the Elder erected the new building from 1710 to 1728 on behalf of Count Friedrich Anton Ulrich of Waldeck and Pyrmont, who was elevated to prince in 1712. The main construction work took place between 1713 and 1722, with the prince and his wife Louise of Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld moving in as early as 1720. The interior decoration continued for decades. Later, further alterations were made under Prince Karl of Waldeck, and in 1858, Emma of Waldeck-Pyrmont, who later became Queen of the Netherlands, was born here.