English Gardens

Literature, art & architecture reflected life in the 18th century when Europeans were inspired by Romanticism and Enlightenment. Well-to-do families went on grand tours of Europe to educate their minds and inspire their souls.

German visitors to England were treated to the "English landscape garden", a style so impressive in its simplicity that they imported the idea to Germany. The "Englischer Garten" placed emphasis on large areas of parkland with peaceful lakes set near or right next to a residence or palace.

Traditionally, only a limited number of species were used in the generous sweeps of tree-bordered lawns, interspersed with romantic looking buildings, follies and temples. The geometric design of paths and walkways provided not only somewhere to walk and contemplate the meaning of life and nature; it also created dream-like vistas and spectacular views.

 

Englischer Garten, Munich

Designed by the British-American scientist Sir Benjamin Thompson and the German landscape architect, Friedrich Ludwig von Sckell, the English Garden in Munich, inaugurated in 1808, is larger than New York’s Central Park.

As a prime example of a landscaped city park it provides a green and calming oasis amidst Munich’s bustling street life. Students come here to philosophise, families cycle together, sunbathers take advantage of Munich’s sunny summer climate. Visitors head for the Greek-style Monopteros temple from where they can enjoy a beautiful view of Munich, stroll to the Kleinhesseloher Lake with its romantic islands or seek refreshment at the Chinese Tower beer garden.

Englischer Garten
80538 Munich
Tel. 0049 89 38666 390

 

• www.schloesser.bayern.de
• www.muenchen.de

Muskauer Park, Bad Muskau

"If only you had another 150,000 Thaler, I would marry you again." Thus Hermann, Prince Pückler-Muskau reassured his soon to be ex-wife after he had squandered away his entire inheritance and his wife’s dowry creating a 750ha English Garden at the Polish border.

Such was his passion that he and his richer successors created the Muskauer Park at Bad Muskau, one of the most beautiful landscaped cross border gardens in Europe.

Muskauer Park
02953 Bad Muskau
Tel. 0049 35771 51525
Email: info.stiftung@muskau.de

 

• www.muskauer-park.de (German)

Rosenau, Coburg

Rosenau, originally a 16th century castle and 300 years later birthplace of the queen consort, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, was later reconstructed in the style of an English manor house. In 1806 the surrounding gardens were created by Duke Ernest I and his sister, Victoire.

Victoire was first married to the Count of Leiningen. Her second marriage was to the Duke of Kent who commissioned the famous landscape architect Friedrich Ludwig von Sckell to build Amorbach. Small wonder that the English influence is still evident at the Rosenau Park, Rödental near Coburg.

Park Rosenau
Rosenau 4
96472 Roedental
Tel: 0049 9563 3008410

 

• www.schloesser.bayern.de
• www.coburg-tourist.de

Wörlitzer Park, Dessau

The construction of the first classical garden in mainland Europe grew from the noble idea of harmonizing the co-existence of humans, nature and the countryside. Returning from their English sojourn, Prince Leopold III, Friedrich Franz of Anhalt-Dessau and his architect friend, Friedrich Wilhelm von Erdmannsdorf, created some of the most spectacular examples of English landscape design.

In a succession of architectural gems, landscaped palace gardens and intimate parks with rare wild fruits, field maples and unusual wildlife, the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Realm is nowadays protected as a UNESCO World heritage site. The 25 miles Fürst Franz Trail starting at Dessau town centre takes in most of the sites along the Garden Realm.

Wörlitzer Park
06786 Wörlitz

Tourist-Information Dessau
Zerbster Straße 2c
06844 Dessau
Tel. 0049 340 2041442
Email: touristinfo@dessau.de

 

• www.dessau.de
• www.biosphaerenreservatmittlereelbe.de