New foundation assumes control in continuing the Hohenzollern dynasty legacy
After nearly a century of dispute, the German government and the Hohenzollern family have reached an agreement regarding the ownership of the extensive Hohenzollern art collection housed in museums in Berlin and Potsdam. This collection, which includes art, furniture, porcelain, glass, and books once belonging to the royal treasures of the Hohenzollerns, will now be managed by a new charitable foundation named the Stiftung Hohenzollernscher Kunstbesitz (Foundation for Hohenzollern Art Property).
The Dispute's Origins
The dispute can be traced back to the end of the German Empire in 1918, when Wilhelm II, the last German Emperor, abdicated. The assets left behind, including significant cultural treasures, were managed by the German state. Over time, the Hohenzollern family sought to reclaim these items, arguing that they were personal property rather than state assets. However, the German government maintained that these items were integral to the nation's cultural identity and should not be returned to private ownership.
The Breakthrough Agreement
In May 2025, a significant breakthrough was achieved when the German government and the descendants of the Hohenzollerns agreed on a resolution to the dispute. This agreement marks a compromise, allowing the Hohenzollerns to regain control over significant parts of their cultural heritage while ensuring that these items remain accessible to the public through the foundation.
The Implications of the Resolution
The resolution of the dispute through the establishment of the Stiftung Hohenzollernscher Kunstbesitz provides a framework for managing the Hohenzollern art collection in a way that respects both the Hohenzollern family's claims and the broader cultural interests of Germany. By transferring ownership to a charitable foundation, the agreement ensures that these cultural treasures are preserved and made available for public appreciation while also acknowledging the historical and familial significance they hold for the Hohenzollerns.
The Future of the Collection
The Foundation Hohenzollern Art Collection will hold 3,600 art and collection items from the former German imperial household permanently. Many of these objects are currently housed in institutions such as the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation, and the German Historical Museum. The foundation ensures that the precious items will remain accessible to the public in museums in the future.
This approach balances private ownership with public access, offering a model for resolving similar disputes over cultural heritage globally. The majority of the disputed objects will be transferred to the Foundation Hohenzollern Art Collection, allowing the Hohenzollerns some authority to dispose of certain valuable pieces, including the option to sell them for millions. The jointly established foundation is the core of the deal, ensuring that the precious items will remain accessible to the public in museums in the future.
A decades-long dispute over the ownership of art and collection items between the Hohenzollern noble house and the federal government of Germany and the states of Berlin and Brandenburg has ended, marking a significant moment in the history of German cultural heritage.
- The compromise reached in May 2025, between the German government and the Hohenzollerns, provides a model for resolving disputes over cultural heritage, balancing private ownership with public access.
- The establishment of the Stiftung Hohenzollernscher Kunstbesitz (Foundation for Hohenzollern Art Property) ensures the Hohenzollern art collection remains accessible to the public, while acknowledging its historical and familial significance.
- The future of the Foundation Hohenzollern Art Collection includes permanent ownership of 3,600 art and collection items from the former German imperial household, with many housed in institutions like the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation and the German Historical Museum.
- The resolution of this decades-long dispute has significant implications for policy and legislation, as it demonstrates a successful approach to the management of war and conflicts' effects on culture and business in the sphere of politics and general news.
