The Ansbach Residenz, formally known as the Markgrafenschloss, is the baroque palace of the Margraves of Brandenburg-Ansbach and the centrepiece of any visit to the town. Built primarily between 1705 and 1745 under Margrave Wilhelm Friedrich and his successors, the palace contains 27 richly decorated state rooms that demonstrate the full range of German baroque interior decoration — stucco ceilings, silk wall-coverings, tapestries, and an extraordinary collection of Ansbach faience porcelain.
The state rooms are arranged in a sequence of increasing grandeur, culminating in the Red Damask Room and the State Bedroom. Guided tours run throughout the day and are the only way to see the interior. The palace is run by the Bavarian Palace Administration and is well maintained and thoroughly labelled. Allow 90 minutes for the tour and another hour for the gardens.