Station: [22] The Princess's Living Room

You are in the Princess’s living room in the Margrave’s Tower.

Even at first glance, this room seems unusual. Its rather dark color scheme is almost reminiscent of a private house chapel. This impression is carried through in the furnishings. Even the sofa against the wall is shaped like a church pew.

This unique design is likely connected to a profound loss. In 1866, just one year before the castle’s completion, Prince Anton von Hohenzollern fell in the Battle of Königgrätz. He was a son of the princely couple and was only 25 years old. The grief over the young prince was particularly profound for Princess Josephine. This sorrow is clearly reflected in the sacred character of this living room.

If you look toward the windows, you’ll discover depictions of feminine virtues in the window reveals. They continue a motif already visible in the Queen’s reception room. This creates a connection between the rooms, even though this room has a distinct, quieter atmosphere of its own.

The ceiling is also worth a closer look. Beams divide it into ten trapezoidal panels. In each of these panels, set against a blue background, you’ll see the estates of the House of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, each depicted with its name and coat of arms.

In this way, the room uniquely blends the private and the ceremonial. It conveys mourning and remembrance, but also a sense of belonging to the House of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. It is precisely this that makes the Princess’s living room feel quiet, personal, and impressive all at once.