Schloss Friedrichshof

 

Schloss Friedrichshof in Kronberg im Taunus, Hesse, near Frankfurt am Main, was built between 1889 and 1893 for the dowager German Empress Victoria and originally named Schloss Friedrichshof in honour of her late husband, Emperor Frederick III (Friedrich III). The principal architect was Ernst von Ihne, who was also the royal architect to Frederick III and Kaiser Wilhelm II; von Ihne designed many royal residences for nobility in and around Germany and Austria. Today the castle is a five-star hotel which belongs, together with the accompanying park, to the House of Hesse. Parts of the original furnishings as well as pieces of art from the collection of the empress are still present in the hotel, along with her extensive library. The grounds contain an 18-hole golf course, designed by Dwight D. Eisenhower (who stayed at the hotel with his staff for seven years beginning in 1946), and a public town park.

Frederick III, Emperor of Germany and King of Prussia; Victoria, Empress of Germany and Queen of Prussia

by John Jabez Edwin Mayall
hand-coloured albumen carte-de-visite, 1863

Emperor Frederick III and Empress Victoria of Germany were a love match in a time when most dynastic marriages were marriages of convenience. Together they had eight children. The oldest Kaiser Willhelm II and his Mother had a very strained relationship.

Crown Princes Victoria holding Prince Willhelm

Prince Willhelm had A traumatic breech birth resulting in Erb's palsy, which left him with a withered left arm about six inches shorter than his right. He tried with some success to conceal this; many photographs show him holding a pair of white gloves in his left hand to make the arm seem longer. In others, he holds his left hand with his right, has his crippled arm on the hilt of a sword, or holds a cane to give the illusion of a useful limb posed at a dignified angle. Historians have suggested that this disability affected his emotional development. This caused short comings for both Mother and Son.

The eldest son of Victoria went through various treatments to cure his atrophied arm. Strange methods, such as the so-called "animal baths" in which the arm was immersed in the entrails of recently dead rabbits, were performed with some regularity. In addition, William also underwent electroshock sessions in an attempt to revive the nerves passing through the left arm to the neck and also to prevent his head tilting to one side. Vicky insisted that he become a good rider. The thought that he, as heir to the throne, should not be able to ride was intolerable to her. Riding lessons began when William was eight and were a matter of endurance for William. Over and over, the weeping prince was set on his horse and compelled to go through the paces. He fell off time after time but despite his tears was set on its back again. After weeks of this he finally got it right and was able to maintain his balance. William later wrote:

"The torments inflicted on me, in this pony riding, must be attributed to my mother."

For Victoria, her son's disability was a disgrace. Her letters and her diary show her grief for her son's arm and her guilt for having given birth to a disabled child. During a visit to her parents in 1860 the crown princess wrote about her eldest son:

"He is really smart for his age...if only he didn't had that unfortunate arm, I would be so proud of him."

Sigmund Freud speculated that Victoria, being unable to accept the illness of her child, distanced herself from her first-born, which made a great impact on the behavior of the future William II.

However, other authors, such as the historian Wolfgang Mommsen, insist that the crown princess was very affectionate with her children. According to him, Vicky wanted her children to be like the idealised figure of her own father and tried, as best she could, to follow the educational precepts of Prince Albert. In 1863, Victoria and Frederick bought a cottage in Bornstedt so that their children could grow up in an environment similar to that of Osborne House. However, Victoria's influence on her offspring had an important limitation: Like all the Hohenzollerns, her sons received a military training from a very young age, and the crown princess feared that such education would undermine their values.

William I in a hussar's uniform, in a painting by Emil Hünten

Three days after Frederick was confirmed to be suffering from cancer, his father Kaiser William I died aged 90 at 8:22 a.m. on 9 March 1888, upon which Frederick became German Emperor and King of Prussia. His son Wilhelm, now Crown Prince, telegraphed the news to his father in Italy. Later the same day, Frederick wrote in his diary that he had received the telegram upon returning from a walk, "...and so I have ascended the throne of my forefathers and of the German Kaiser! God help me fulfill my duties conscientiously and for the weal of my Fatherland, in both the narrower and the wider sense." Germany's progressive elements hoped that William's death, and thus Frederick's succession, would usher the country into a new era governed along liberal lines. The new Kaiser reached Berlin at 11 p.m. on the night of 11 March; those who saw him were horrified by his "pitiful" appearance. The question now was how much longer the mortally ill emperor could be expected to live, and what, if anything, he could hope to achieve. In spite of his illness, Frederick did his best to fulfill his obligations as Emperor. Immediately after the announcement of his accession, he took the ribbon and star of his Order of the Black Eagle from his jacket and pinned it on the dress of his wife; he was determined to honor her position as Empress. Too ill to march in his father's funeral procession, he was represented by Wilhelm, the new Crown Prince, while he watched, weeping, from his rooms in the Charlottenburg Palace.

As the German Emperor, he officially received Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom (his mother-in-law) and King Oscar II of Sweden and Norway, and attended the wedding of his son Prince Henry to his niece Princess Irene. However, Frederick reigned for only 99 days, and was unable to bring about much lasting change. The majority of the German ruling elite viewed Frederick's reign as merely a brief interim period before the accession of his son Wilhelm to the throne. An edict he penned before he ascended to the throne that would limit the powers of the chancellor and monarch under the constitution was never put into effect, although he did force Robert von Puttkamer to resign as Prussian Minister of the Interior on 8 June, when evidence indicated that Puttkamer had interfered in the Reichstag elections. Dr. Mackenzie wrote that the Emperor had "an almost overwhelming sense of the duties of his position". In a letter to Lord Napier, Empress Victoria wrote "The Emperor is able to attend to his business, and do a great deal, but not being able to speak is, of course, most trying." Frederick had the fervour but not the time to accomplish his desires, lamenting in May 1888, "I cannot die ... What would happen to Germany?"

From April 1888, Frederick became so weak he was unable to walk, and was largely confined to his bed; his continual coughing brought up large quantities of pus. In early June, the cancer spread to and perforated his esophagus, preventing him from eating. He suffered from bouts of vomiting and ran high fevers, but remained alert enough to write a last diary entry on 11 June: "What's happening to me? I must get well again; I have so much to do!" Frederick III died in Potsdam at 11:30 a.m. on 15 June 1888, and was succeeded by his 29-year-old son Wilhelm II. Frederick is buried in a mausoleum attached to the Friedenskirche in Potsdam. After his death, William Ewart Gladstone described him as the "Barbarossa of German liberalism". Empress Victoria went on to continue spreading Frederick's thoughts and ideals throughout Germany, but no longer had power within the government.

Once the emperor's death was announced, his son and successor William II ordered the occupation of the imperial residence by soldiers. The chambers of Frederick and Victoria were carefully checked to find incriminating documents. However, the search was unsuccessful because all the couple's correspondence had been taken to Windsor Castle the previous year. Several years later, William II stated that the purpose of this research was to find state documents. Currently, however, many historians (as Hannah Pakula and Franz Herre) suggest that what the emperor wanted was to recover documents that could threaten his reputation.

Emperor Frederick III's funeral procession

The funeral of Frederick III came shortly after in Potsdam, without major pomp. Victoria, now empress dowager, didn't appear at the ceremony in the Friedenskirche of Sanssouci, but attended a mass in memory of her husband in the Royal Estate of Bornsted. From the death of her husband, Victoria became known as Empress Frederick. In the following weeks, William II made a real purge of all institutions and people close to Frederick III and Victoria. The home of the lawyer Franz von Roggenbach was searched and the widow of Ernst von Stockmar, former private secretary of Victoria, was questioned by the police. Friedrich Heinrich Geffcken, Frederick III's counsellor for years, was tried for high treason for publishing excerpts from the diary of Emperor Frederick. Finally, Heinrich von Friedberg was dismissed as Justice Minister.

Neues Palais in Potsdam

Once widowed, the empress dowager had to leave the Neues Palais in Potsdam because her son wanted to settle his residence there. Unable to settle in Sanssouci, she acquired a property in Kronberg im Taunus, in the old Duchy of Nassau. There, Victoria built a castle that was named Friedrichshof in honour of her husband. Having inherited several million marks after the death of the wealthy Maria de Brignole-Sale, Duchess of Galliera, the empress dowager was able to finance the construction and expansion of her residence. With the completion of the works in 1894, she spent most of the year in the property with her younger daughters, and only left when she travelled abroad. Contrary to the desires of the emperor, who preferred that she leave Germany permanently, Vicky formed her own court and maintained close relations with the liberal circles.

Once Friedrichshof was completed Empress Frederick had the interior and exterior of the castle photographed, and had albums made for her family. After William's behavior at the passing of his father she most likely was concerned that what she had created would not be preserved when she passed. The Album she sent her brother Albert (Who later became Edward VII) still remains in The Royal Collection of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom.

Album bound in light blue cloth with dark blue leather spine and corner caps containing photographs of exterior and interior views of Schloss Friedrichshof that was built for Empress Friedrich in Kronberg im Taunhaus. The title of the album appears in gold leaf on the spine.

Photograph of the exterior of the Schloss Friedrichshof as viewed from the south west, surrounded by trees

Photograph of the exterior of the Schloss Friedrichshof, with gardens in front as viewed from the south east

Photograph of the exterior of the Schloss Friedrichshof as taken from the south with gardens and trees in the foreground

Photograph of a view of the south front of Schloss Friedrichshof with steps leading down from the terrace on which there are urns containing plants

Photograph of the south front of Schloss Friedrichshof with steps leading down from the terrace. Plants in decorative urns adorn the terrace balustrade.

Provenance

Acquired by Queen Victoria c. 1895

Photograph of part of the south front of Schloss Friedrichshof with steps leading down to the terrace. Decorative urns adorn the terrace balustrade.

Photograph of the north front of Schloss Friedrichshof, with a clock tower on the left and two horse-drawn carriages and their riders in front of the building

Photograph of the north front of Schloss Friedrichshof, with the clock tower on the left and entrance porch

Photograph of part of the north front of Schloss Friedrichshof, including the clock tower, entrance porch and fountain. A foot man stands beneath the entrance porch, facing the viewer.

Photograph of the entrance porch on the north front of Schloss Friedrichshof. Two footmen stand in the porch. Inscribed above the porch entrance are the words 'Friderici Memoriae'.

Photograph of a half-timbered building in the north front of Schloss Friedrichshof, with a fountain in the foreground

Photograph of the ornamental fountain on the north front of Schloss Friedrichshof

Photograph of the half-timbered kitchen building on the north front of Schloss Friedrichshof

Photograph of the half-timbered kitchen buildings, Schloss Friedrichshof, partially obscured by a high wall. In front of the wall is a stone urn on the left.

Photograph of a door with a large knocker towards the top that leads to the library on the south front of the Schloss Friedrichshof. The door is flanked by two stone columns above which is a carved stone lintel.

Photograph of the terrace staircase, on the west front of Schloss Friedrichshof. A lamp encased by an ornamental cage hangs on the wall outside the door.

Photograph of the breakfast room, inside the Schloss Friedrichshof. A round table is laid ready for a meal in the centre of the room over which hangs a candleabra. On the right stands a display case containing plates and glass implements.

Photograph of the Dining Room, inside the Schloss Friedrichshof showing a central table set for dining and a display of plate on the far wall

Photograph of the Red Drawing Room inside the Schloss Friedrichshof, with a view of the fireplace above which are painted heraldric shields

Photograph of the Red Drawing Room inside the Schloss Friedrichshof with a table displaying various ornaments in the centre of the room and the room's grand fireplace in the background

Photograph of the Red Drawing Room inside the Schloss Friedrichshof with ornaments displayed on a central table and a glass display case that stands against a wall on the right. A tapestry hangs on the wall on the right.

Photograph of the Green Drawing Room inside the Schloss Friedrichshof with a portrait of King George III, after Ramsay, hanging on the wall, along with other paintings

Photograph of the Green Drawing Room inside the Schloss Friedrichshof. On the left, a portrait of George III, after Ramsay, hangs on the wall and a chandelier hangs from the ceiling.

Photograph of the Louis XVI Salon inside the Schloss Friedrichshof with a mirrored door to the right of the photograph and a large overmantel mirror on the left

Photograph of the The Library inside the Schloss Friedrichshof. A large brass baubled candelabra hangs to the right of the foreground.

Photograph of the Library inside the Schloss Friedrichshof with the walls lined with books and a central case with books arranged on top in the foreground

Photograph of the central fireplace in the Library, with bookshelves on either side, inside the Schloss Friedrichshof

Photograph of the entrance Hall, Schloss Friedrichshof. Tables and chairs are set-up inside the hall and a tapestry hangs on the right hand side.

Photograph of the fireplace inside the entrance Hall, Schloss Friedrichshof

Photograph of the Entrance Hall, Schloss Friedrichshof, looking towards the main staircase. A large tapestry hangs on one of the walls.

Photograph of the main staircase inside the Schloss Friedrichshof with a view of the first flight of stairs from the ground floor with a tapestry hanging above the landing

Photograph taken from the main staircase inside the Schloss Friedrichshof looking down into the hall with the first floor visible above

Photograph of the main staircase inside the Schloss Friedrichshof with a view of the top of the stairs and the adjacent corridor

Photograph of the corridor alongside the top of the main staircase inside the Schloss Friedrichshof

Photograph of the Drawing Room on the upper storey of Schloss Friedrichshof with a writing table in the centre of the room and tables and chairs around the side of the room

Photograph of the Drawing Room on the upper floor of Schloss Friedrichshof with a chaise longue beside a central fireplace and a writing table on the far left

Photograph of a bedroom inside the Schloss Friedrichshof that includes a bed, a settee, paintings, washstand and other furniture

Photograph of a bedroom inside the Schloss Friedrichshof that includes a settee, a fireplace, paintings and other items of furniture

Photograph of a bedroom inside the Schloss Friedrichshof that includes a four poster bed, hung with drapes, and a fireplace with the words "VICTORIA A.M.L." on the chimney-piece

Photograph of the Herrenzimmer or Smoking Room inside the Schloss Friedrichshof. The ceiling is vaulted with a settee and table on one side of the room and a bureau on the other.

Photograph of the Park with the entrance to the stable buildings, Schloss Friedrichshof. A horse-drawn carriage stands outside of the entrance to the stable.

Photograph of the Stables, Schloss Friedrichshof. A carriage drawn by four horses with a rider and a groom, stand in the stable yard together with other liveried men.

Photograph of the entrance to the stable buildings, Schloss Friedrichshof with a half timbered building surmounted by a clock and carriages visible through the archway

Photograph of the gate-keeper's house, Schloss Friedrichshof with a man sitting in the entrance porch facing the viewer

Photograph of the gate-keeper's house, Schloss Friedrichshof with a man wearing a cap standing to the right of the house

Photograph of a large three-storey cottage, Schloss Friedrichshof, with two women and two children standing underneath the entrance porch. Trees surround the cottage.

Photograph of a large three-storey cottage, Schloss Friedrichshof with a uniformed man standing by the cottage facing the viewer and holding a horse

Photograph of the Estate Director's house within the grounds of the Schloss Friedrichshof. A man wearing a bowler hat stands in the entrance porch.

Photograph of the Estate Director's house within the grounds of the Schloss Friedrichshof, as viewed from behind a metal fence that stands in the foreground

Photograph of farm buildings on the Schloss Friedrichshof estate. A carriage drawn by two horses and a rider on the right and three women who stand and a man who is seated, can be seen outside of the building.

Floor Plan of Ground floor

May 24, 1900 Group photograph taken on steps outside Friedrichshof. Crown Princess Sophie of Greece; Victoria, Princess Adolf of Schaumburg-Lippe; Kaiser William II, Empress Frederick; Charlotte, Princess Bernhard of Saxe-Meiningen; Prince Henry of Prussia; Margaret, Princess Frederick Charles of Hesse-Cassel.

Group photograph taken on steps outside Friedrichshof. Left to right, standing: Irene, Princess Henry of Prussia; Crown Princess Sophie of Greece; Charlotte, Princess Saxe-Meinigen, Prince Alexander, Princess Helen and Prince George of Greece; Empress Augusta Victoria of Germany; Victoria, Empress Frederick of Germany; Victoria, Princess Adolf of Schaumburg-Lippe; Margaret, Princess Frederick Charles of Hesse-Cassel. Seated: Prince Adolf of Schaumburg-Lippe; Prince Frederick Charles of Hesse-Cassel; Prince Henry of Prussia; Emperor William II of Germany; Crown Prince Constantine of Greece; Prince Albert of Schleswig-Holstein; Ernest Louis, Grand Duke of Hesse.