Palace Gardens

The architectural style of garden, which was created in France in the 17th century, was not simply copied in Germany’s colourful palace gardens but developed even further. Creating large ornamental show pieces to accentuate the architecture and splendour of their palaces became fashionable with the nobility.

Size did matter and large areas were used to impress visitors and neighbours alike. But much pleasure was also derived by the owners themselves who personally took great interest in their creations, embedding something of their personalities without which these gardens would not exist.

 

Augustusburg, Brühl - Cologne

In Brühl, near Cologne, is the Rococo treasure and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Augustusburg.

Commissioned by the Elector and Archbishop of Cologne, Clement August, it was built in 1725 by the eminent architect Schlaun and a few years later restyled and completed by Cuvillies.

Girard’s original garden design still exists and strictly follows the innovations and subsequent rules of the French style. A two part Parterre, with delicate flower and box arrangements and water basins, is accessible from the terrace by stairs. This forms the focal point of the garden and takes the eye into the distance towards a delightful English garden.

Schloss Augustusburg
Schlossstraße 6
50321 Bruehl
Tel. 0049 22 32 44000
Email: mail@schlossbruehl.de

 

• www.schlossbruehl.de (German)
• www.bruehl.de

Herrenhausen, Hanover

Hanover’s Green Belt emerged as early as the 17th century and beginning with the creation of the Grosser Garten (Great Garden) at Herrenhausen in 1666, a continuous artistic development of the grounds was undertaken over the next three centuries during which the Georgen, the Welfen and the Berg Garden were added.

Much of the Baroque splendour of the Great Garden is due to the Elector Ernst August and his consort, Sophia, the granddaughter of King James I. Through his marriage to Sophia, Ernst August had given the Hanoverian succession a claim to the throne of England which was accepted by their son when he was crowned George I in 1714.

The Grand Parterre and the special thematic gardens nearby show the development of garden culture through the centuries. Germany’s oldest hedge theatre, dating back to Sophia’s and Ernst August’s time, is still used today during the summer festival weeks. Both the Georgen and the Welfen Gardens were added later in the English style while the Berg Garden was created in the Great Garden era as one of the first botanical gardens in Germany.

The first African Violet brought to Europe came to bloom here in one of the glasshouses. Popular sights at the Berg Garden include the Rain Forest House, a recently added Prairie Garden and the Schmuckhof ornamental courtyard with its beautiful tub plants such as the aromatic Pelargonium.

Herrenhaeuser Gaerten
Herrenhaeuser Straße 4
30419 Hannover
Tel. 0049 511 16847743
Email: herrenhaeuser-gaerten@hannover-stadt.de

 

• www.hannover.de

Ludwigsburg, Stuttgart

The gardens at Ludwigsburg, just outside Stuttgart, offer something for all the family.

Building work on the palace itself started in 1704 but it was only when Duke Eberhard Ludwig of Württemberg took up residence there in 1718 that the gardens were established and subsequently enlarged by his successors.

The southern part of the Gardens has been furnished with a substantial modern Parterre and a central Baroque water basin. In the eastern part, a playground was erected so as to allow the adults a little unhindered social intercourse following the strict ceremony at court. The historical distractions are still on show today and include a roundabout and swing-boats.

Schloss Ludwigsburg
Mömpelgardstr. 28
71640 Ludwigsburg
Tel. 0049 7141 186440
Email: info@schloss-ludwigsburg.de

 

• www.schloesser-magazin.de
• www.blueba.de (German)

Nymphenburg, Munich

Next to Munich’s Botanical Gardens lies the famous Baroque complex of Nymphenburg. Originally built to celebrate the birth of their son and heir and envisaged as a summer residence for the Elector Ferdinand Maria and his consort Henriette Adelaide of Savoy, Nymphenburg and its ravishing gardens grew steadily over 300 years.

The building itself, begun in 1664, started out with a small ornamental garden. Under the direction of Girard and Joseph Effner, not only a canal system with a variety of water features including the intricate pumping mechanisms was created, but also an axially symmetrical garden with ornamental flowerbeds was built, radiating out from the palace. Further work was carried out by Sckell in the 18th century to replace some of the more formal elements and create a more natural, English look.

Schlosspark Nymphenburg
80638 München
Tel. 0049 89 179080

 

• www.schloesser.bayern.de

Pillnitz, Dresden

The art of combining a formal Baroque garden with an English style park has been perfected at Pillnitz Castle nr. Dresden.

The castle, idyllically situated next to the river Elbe, was rebuilt in 1826 after the original Renaissance structure was destroyed by fire.

The English garden with a beautifully built Chinese pavilion dates back to the 18th century and, together with a collection of rare woods, one of its most popular attractions, is a 250 year old camellia which bears about 35,000 brilliant red flowers in spring.

Schloss Pillnitz
01326 Dresden
Tel. 0049 351 2613260
Email: info-pillnitz@schloesser-dresden.de

 

• www.schloesser-dresden.de
• www.schlosshotel-pillnitz.de

Sanssouci, Potsdam - Berlin

Another splendid example of a garden inspired by the French style is Potsdam’s Sanssouci Palace, the modest (well, by royal standards) "maison de plaisance" summer residence of Frederick the Great.

Away from affairs of the state, this is where the Prussian King could relax and unwind amidst more than 700 acres of formal gardens and parkland.

Known for his love of music, art and a spot of philosophy (Voltaire was a house guest) Frederick had terraces, grottos, Roman Baths and a romantically situated Chinese Tea House built with a beautiful Parterre as the central view point from the palace windows.

Schloss Sanssouci
Park Sanssouci
14469 Potsdam
Tel. 0049 331 9694190

 

• www.spsg.de
• www.potsdam.de

Schleissheim, Munich

Originally designed in 1684, the Baroque gardens at Schleissheim near Munich are a fine example of geometrically laid out formal gardens.

The Parterre and cascade were added 30 years later by Dominique Girard, a pupil of the great Le Notre, who created Versailles. Although later reconstruction work added and completed the gardens on show today, the basic structure has remained virtually intact.

Schloss Schleissheim
Max-Emanuel-Platz 1
85764 Oberschleissheim
Tel. 0049 89 3158720

 

• www.schloesser.bayern.de

Schwetzingen, Heidelberg

Schwetzingen Palace, near Heidelberg, dates back to the 14th century. Built as a moated castle, it was subsequently used as a hunting lodge two centuries later.

Today, the castle and its gardens that we now experience, owe a great deal to the ambitious Elector Carl Theodor who converted them into his summer residence in the 18th century.

The formal part of the gardens with their central parterre and variety of water features, pavilions, sculptures and eye catching flower beds, provided an impressive stage for his court events and were largely the work of the architect and landscape designer Nicolas de Pigage. Observing good manners was not just for the nobility, though.

After a concert at Schwetzingen given by young Wolfgang, Mozart’s father, Leopold, commented benevolently, that "….without doubt, this is the best orchestra in Germany, all young folk and of good disposition; neither drunkards nor gamblers or despicable rascals."

In 1777, an English style garden, complete with meandering paths and tree lined meadows was added. Designed by Sckell, this offers plenty of scope for poetic soul-searching.

Schloss Schwetzingen
68723 Schwetzingen
Tel. 0049 6202 945875
Email: info@schloss-schwetzingen.de

 

• www.schloesser-magazin.de
• www.schwetzingen.de

Wackerbarth, Radebeul - Dresden

At nearby Radebeul, Wackerbarth castle with its enchanting Belvedere and gardens provides a focal point for one of Germany’s largest vineyards.

Formal gardens with immaculately clipped box hedges and vines draped decoratively over the surrounding hills, provide visitors with a totally different experience.

Visit the Herb and the Terracotta gardens or witness the wine-making process and challenge your taste buds either at a wine tasting or in the restaurant. Naturally, the wines, both still and sparkling (Sekt) are for sale at the daily market.

Schloss Wackerbarth
Sächsisches Staatsweingut GmbH
Wackerbarthstr. 1
01445 Radebeul
Tel. 0049 351 89550
Email: event@schloss-wackerbarth.de

 

• www.schloss-wackerbarth.de