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Historic 18th-Century Comoedienhaus in Hanau Faces Urgent €13.7M Restoration

Time is running out for this crumbling Baroque gem. With funding locked in, Hanau races to restore a theater that once hosted royalty—before it's lost forever.

The image shows an interior of the Marquis of Anglesey's Theatre, with chairs, plants, sculptures,...
The image shows an interior of the Marquis of Anglesey's Theatre, with chairs, plants, sculptures, curtains, and other objects. At the bottom of the image, there is some text.

Historic 18th-Century Comoedienhaus in Hanau Faces Urgent €13.7M Restoration

The historic Comoedienhaus in Hanau's Wilhelmsbad State Park is set for a major restoration. Built in 1781, the 18th-century landmark has fallen into disrepair and now requires urgent repairs. Funding for the project has been secured through a joint agreement between the state of Hesse and the city of Hanau.

A letter of intent confirms the total cost of around €13.7 million. The federal government will contribute €3.75 million, while the remaining €10 million will be shared equally between Hesse and Hanau. However, the state's portion is capped at €5 million, pending final budget approval.

Hanau's municipal property and construction management agency will lead the renovation. The agreement also outlines the exact scope of work needed to restore the building. Originally used for guest entertainment between 1781 and 1785, the Comoedienhaus has stood in Wilhelmsbad for centuries, though details about its recent use remain unclear.

The restoration project will preserve a key piece of Hanau's cultural heritage. With funding in place and a clear plan for repairs, work can now move forward. The city and state will work together to ensure the Comoedienhaus is restored for future generations.

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