Stay where Louise (1750–1811), wife of Prince Franz, retreated to the peace of nature. At the Luisium on the eastern fringe of Dessau this is still possible!
Location
In the midst of this enchanting landscape garden called »Luisium« rises a neo-classical house (Schloss), and only a few hundred metres away from it you will find the romantic neo-gothic »Schlangenhaus« (lit. Snake-House).
Historic significance
The »Schlangenhaus« was named thus by the locals due to the shape of its gutters which have the form of snakes. The house was built on a little mound from about 1790 onwards. The brick building, which was inspired by English houses, originally served as a guest house. Its underground vaults were used to store fruit from a nearby plantation.
Decay and reconstruction
After the Second World War, the house gradually fell into disrepair. The ceilings had collapsed, the walls were desolate, windows, doors and the wooden staircase only survived in parts. Following the extensive restoration of all rooms, the house has been used as a holiday home since 1996.
Furnishings
During your stay you have at your disposal a fully furnished house suitable for two people, with electric heating in all rooms. Optional additional bedding in the salon can sleep another two. The barrel vaults of the lower ground floor house a kitchen, a separate dining room as well as a bath and toilet. The roof terrace, equipped with garden furniture, offers delightful views across the gardens. Two bicycles are available in the house for trips into the surrounding countryside. The car park is about 250 metres away from the house. Our aim is to help the friends on the Garden Kingdom to appreciate nature and art. We have therefore deliberately not installed a telephone connection, TV and radio in our guest houses!
Services
The price includes:
Bed linen and towels
Ancillary costs
Initial and final cleaning
Use of bicycles and garden furniture
Tip
Close-by is a supermarket, a bakery and a number of other shops. A café and restaurant is situated in the Orangery.
Phone: +49 (0)340-646 15 44
During the office hours of the Kulturstiftung DessauWörlitz (Mo-Thu 7am to 4pm and Fr 7am to 1pm) or Email: krebs@ksdw.de
AVAILABILITY CHART
Schlangenhaus
April 2026
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Termin belegt
Info
Prices
Peak season
(1 Apr–31 Oct and 22 Dec–6 Jan and bank holidays*)
1–2 people: 150.00 Euro
3–4 people: 200.00 Euro
Off-peak season
(1 Nov–21 Dec and 7 Jan–31 Mar)
1–2 people: 75.00 Euro
3–4 people: 120.00 Euro
Luisium
Garden of quiet charms
The neo-classical country seat of Princess Louise of Anhalt-Dessau today appears as the most idyllic of all the grounds laid out between Dessau and Wörlitz. more...