Lichtenberg Palace, which is today Jørgensens Hotel, was built by Horsen’s great businessman Gerhdt de Lichtenberg. In 1697, Gehrdt was born as Hansen into a wealthy merchant family and after completing his education, he took over the merchant business at Søndergade 17 from his father and grandfather. He assumed his mother’s name, Lichtenberg, and became Gerhdt de Lichtenberg. Lichtenberg had great success as a merchant, landowner, producer and money lender, and in 1744 he converted the merchant’s farm in Horsens to the baroque mansion that it is today.
Lichtenberg exhibited his success and wealth in the palace and decorated it with a splendour that was rarely seen in a Danish market town. Beautiful painted ceilings, fine cabinets, private art chamber, hundreds of silver and gold objects, a rich library and in the King’s Chamber, which today is home to the Royal Suite, a collection of rare magnificent weapons. The adjacent ballroom featured a decorative stucco, adorned with ornaments in leaf gold and Prussian blue, where today rooms 102, 103 and 104 can be found with intact and restored stucco and paintings.
Der var ingen smalle steder på Danmarks nu bredeste gågade. Lichtenberg fik da også fint besøg. Således overnattede Frederik V i palæet i 1749 og udnævnte i den forbindelse Lichtenberg til Etatsråd.
Lichtenberg døde i 1764 og efterlod Det Lichtenbergske Palæ til sin enke, Bodil Hofgaard de Lichtenberg, som overlevede ham i 30 år.
Familien foretrak at bo på de store godser, Lichtenberg havde skænket dem, og i 1813 solgte de palæet, som blev omdannet til et gæstgiveri (kro).
