Guesthouse of the Kings

The impulse of the historic events in Wittenberg towards the modernization of Europe was recognized early on. For good reason, Wittenberg became the destination for some of the most progressive European leaders during the 17th and 18th century.

Many of those European leaders stayed in the “Guesthouse of the Kings” – the building that is today our hotel.

  • On February 21, 1707, the Swedish King Charles XII stayed here overnight.
  • On October 14, 1712 the Russian Tsar Peter the Great stayed here overnight. Tsar Peter spent much time in Western European countries that – following the events in Wittenberg and the development of all areas of society – had taken a lead compared to the still “Medieval” Russia. Tsar Peter not only stayed in Wittenberg but made extensive travels throughout Western Europe to study the advances of technology and modernizations in other areas of society. Tsar Peter’s stay in a Dutch shipbuilding dock was even immortalized in the famous opera “Zar und Zimmermann” (Tsar and Carpenter).

Where in the world can you stay in a hotel were Tsars and emperors have dined and stayed overnight?

During the 19th century, the building served various purposes. In 1806, on their march to Russia, Napoleon’s army stayed in Wittenberg and the building was recruited for Napoleon’s army officers. Only a few years later, the building became an institute to train a newly developed midwife profession and in 1818 the first course graduated. In 1851 classes of 30-40 students passed a 5 month long course. In 1885, Olga Gebauer graduated here, who later launched the German Midwifery Institute that lasted until 1904, shortly before WWI.

During the 20th century, until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the building was used largely for living. The ground floor was also used as the command center of the local fire brigade. From 1990 to 1998 the building complex was neglected and deteriorated.

In 1999 we acquired this historic building and brought it back close to its old beauty.

We are looking forward to welcoming you at a place you will not forget for the rest of your life!