Witwenpalais

After the extinction of individual dynastic lines around 1730, the Nassau possessions were unified. Under Princess Charlotte Amalie, they were divided between her underage sons Karl and Wilhelm Heinrich. The latter assumed succession in the Nassau-Saarbrücken territories in 1741 and began to develop Saarbrücken into a magnificent residence. Ottweiler, once a residence of a collateral line, required new princely accommodation after the demolition of the Renaissance castle around 1753. Friedrich Joachim Stengel was commissioned with the planning of the Witwenpalais, which is dated to around 1756. The construction was possibly completed in 1758/60. The palace received its name from Karl Lohmeyer, who assumed it was built as a widow's residence for Prince Wilhelm Heinrich's consort Sophie Erdmuthe, although contemporary sources referred to it as a “lordly house.” The building came into the possession of the Ottweiler district in 1889 and has since housed the district administration.

The Witwenpalais is located in Ottweiler in the Neunkirchen district, Saarland, Germany, at an elevation of approx. 271 m above sea level.

Today, the Witwenpalais houses the district administration of the Neunkirchen district. On the first floor, there is the Historic Council Chamber, which is used for district council meetings, concerts, and cultural events.

• Palais Ottweiler (Residence), approx. 0.2 km away
• Schlossrest Neunkirchen (Castle), approx. 6.6 km away
• Schloss St. Wendel (Castle), approx. 7.3 km away
• Burgruine Kerpen (Castle), approx. 8.3 km away