Love Stories in the Palace .... and the Garden
SouthWest Germany's State Palaces and Gardens are steeped in
famous stories of patrician romance.
New York, New York – July 19, 2022 Anyone wanting to make the most out of SouthWest Germany will soon realize they’ve come to the right address at the State Palaces and Gardens of Baden-Württemberg (Staatliche Schlösser & Gärten, or SSG), the state heritage preservation agency for the state of Baden-Württemberg.
Every year, the State Palaces and Gardens chooses a theme for special tours and events in their monuments. This year, they are exploring love stories from all over Baden- Württemberg. These stories cover many different facets of love: time travel with us through an era full of beauty and passion and discover the many ways in which people followed their hearts’ desires during a time when arranged marriage was the rule. No matter which palace or garden or historic place you choose, the past comes alive with the unique stories with lives and loves of noble families, kings and queens and their followers.
Today, Heidelberg Palace is a world-famous ruin revered for its stunning view over the city. Writers and artists have described the magnetic pull of the palace as they fell in love in and with Heidelberg. How fitting then, that the last Prince Elector to use the palace as his residence married the woman he loved. Friedrich V. and Elizabeth Stuart not only formed a political alliance; they truly and deeply loved each other. Friedrich had a whole wing added to the residence for his wife and gave her a private garden on the western side of the palace. Its ornate entry gate, known today as the “Elisabethentor” was a birthday present. Legend has it the gate was constructed in all its splendor in only one night.
Prince Elector Carl Theodor of the Palatinate was a great patron of the arts in the 18th century. He had a passion for the theater and his court orchestra was famous as one of the best ensembles in all of Europe. During the summer months, Carl Theodor pursued these passions in Schwetzingen, his summer residence with its beautiful lush gardens. He had a theater built into the northern circle building, where performances were put on almost every night. As a cultural center, Schwetzingen soon attracted famous visitors, among them Voltaire and Mozart.
In 1718, Duke Ludwig Eberhard of Württemberg moved his residence from Stuttgart to his hunting palace. The town around it became known as Ludwigsburg – named after the Duke. The palace was expanded several times and included separate apartments for the Duke and Duchess. However, Duke Ludwig and his wife could not stand each other. They lived most of their lives apart from each other. Instead, Ludwig Eberhard fell in love with Wilhelmine von Grävenitz. She was the first Mistress at the palace and the only woman the Duke truly loved. As such, he gave her her own quarters in his palace. Even when the court banished her, he found a way to bring her back so they could spend their final years together.
Everyone could tell at the Vienna Congress of 1814: Katharina Pawlowna and King Wilhelm were meant for each other. But Wilhelm was married at the time. And yet the growing affection between Katharina and Wilhelm was all people talked about. They expected them to be married soon. Two years later, Wilhelm’s marriage was annulled and he married Katharina. However, their bliss was short-lived, as Katharina died suddenly on January 9, 1819. Wilhelm built the sepulchral chapel as a demonstration of his eternal love for Katharina on Wurttemberg Hill. It was his departed queen’s favorite spot.
The State Palaces and Gardens is responsible for 62 historic palaces and gardens, monasteries and historic places that it maintains, develops and opens to the public.
https://www.schloesser-und-gaerten.de/en/
