Kepenik Palace

The Baroque Palace is located on an island in the center of the Old Town. It was built for the future King Frederick I, and today it houses the Museum of Modern Art.

The palace was built on the basis of a Slavic castle of the VI century and a palace in the Renaissance style dating from the XVI century, according to the designs of architects Rutger von Lagerfeld and Arnold Nering.

However, the fate of the owner of the house was not very happy. By order of the soldiers of King Frederick Wilhelm was accused of actions against his own son, the future King Frederick II. His trial took place at the palace in 1730. Frederick was convicted, and only the intervention of powerful nobles saved him from the death penalty. From 1749 to 1782, the palace was the residence of the widow of Princess Henrietta Maria, and in 1804 it was bought by the Count of Schmetow.

At one time, Kepenik was a prison, a school, and a home for nobles. Since the sixties of the XX century, the Museum of Oriental Art is located in the building. After a substantial restoration, Kepenik is open to the public, presenting valuable exhibits from Renaissance and Baroque to Rococo.