New Residence Halle

Construction of the impressive edifice began in 1531 under Cardinal Albrecht von Brandenburg. Hans von Schönitz served as construction manager until 1534, followed by Andreas Günther as architect until 1537, and Bastian Binder in the same year. The north wing with its chapel was completed in 1537, and the entire building is believed to have been finished by 1538. Building materials were sourced from, among other places, the demolished Neuwerkstift and the old Ulrichskirche. From 1545 onwards, the New Residence served as the seat for the archbishops of the Magdeburg archdiocese and later for secular administrators. It experienced a period of flourishing from 1644 to 1680 under Duke August of Saxe-Weissenfels, who gave it the name "New Residence" and established it as the venue for the first German opera in the early Baroque period. After his death, Halle fell to the Electorate of Brandenburg. In 1694, the Residence again became the nucleus for a university foundation, the Protestant Friedrichs University, which housed significant collections and scientific institutions here. Around 1789, extensive renovations led to the loss of many historical elements. In the 19th century, the Residence housed, among other things, the Anatomical Theater, natural science collections, a maternity hospital, and the surgical clinic. University use largely ceased in 2003 with the relocation of the geosciences department, with only the Geiseltal Museum remaining.

The New Residence palace is located in Halle (Saale) within the urban area of Halle (Stadt) in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, at an elevation of approximately 87 m above sea level.

The New Residence is currently vacant. The "Neue Residenz e.V." association, founded in 2003, is committed to the renovation and revitalization of the building as a cultural, scientific, and economic meeting place.

• Halle Cathedral (sacred building), approx. 0.1 km away
• Palais Kühler Brunnen (residence), approx. 0.3 km away
• Zepernicksches Haus (palace), approx. 0.3 km away
• Moritzburg Castle (palace), approx. 0.3 km away