"OF TABLES AND BANQUETS": THE 2018 THEME
"Of Tables and Banquets. Eat and drink in the palaces, monasteries and fortresses." This is the theme of the State Palaces and Gardens of Baden-Wuerttemberg this year. And there is plenty to discover in the region's historical monuments: the State Palaces and Gardens of Baden-Wuerttemberg are already launching this thematic year in January 2018 with an elaborate events programme, including festivals and markets, special tours and - particularly - a large number of family-friendly offerings. The venue for the opening on 6th May 2018 is the magnificent former Cistercian monastery and Salem Palace at Lake Constance. The events taking place over the year will be held in 14 monuments in the whole region.
SCHLOSSERLEBNISTAG - PALACE OPEN DAY - THIS YEAR ON 17th JUNE
A fixed date in the calendar for many people - not only in Baden-Wuertemberg: the Palace Open Day takes place on the third Sunday in June. The monuments in the region - both state and private - are unveiled with a bountiful family programme. Everything is laid on - ranging from unusual tours to large-scale festivals. On the Schlosserlebnistag, first created eight years ago, all the palaces and fortresses in the regions will open their doors and offer family-oriented events with a wide-ranging programme centering on the palace experience.
ERLEBNISTAG IM KLOSTER - MONASTERY OPEN DAY
"Monastery - Church - Kitchen": this is the theme of this year's "Monastery Open Day". Whether large monastery complex or romantic monastery ruins, whether medieval chambers or great baroque banqueting halls full of rejoicing - the spectrum is broad. The colourful programme on offer in the monasteries taking part provides amazing impressions, with plenty of experiences in the process. The "Monastery Open Day" is taking place on 14th October 2018 for the fourth year in succession.
TETTNANG – “2018 PALACE OF THE YEAR”
Tettnang New Palace is a jewel, idyllically set in the fertile region of Hopfenland directly on Lake Constance. In the 18th century, the Counts of Montfort gathered together all the leading artists to decorate their new palace – these great baroque masters of Upper Swabia created outstanding rooms with masterful stucco sculptures and exhilarating frescoes. Recent years have seen new additions to Tettnang Palace: new rooms for reception and historical introduction, for example, make a visit here a unique experience. Reason enough for the State Palaces and Gardens of Baden-Wuerttemberg to celebrate and make Tettnang the “2018 Palace of the Year”.
KARLSRUHE BOTANICAL GARDENS: A GREEN OASIS
The Karlsruhe Botanical Gardens are reopening their doors in April: here in the heart of the former royal seat and metropolis of Karlsruhe in Baden, a unique green oasis has been preserved. The historical roots of the Botanical Gardens date back to the founding of the city 300 years ago. Now the unique 19th-century glass greenhouses have been comprehensively renovated and restored. A walk through the light-filled halls with their exotic plants will be a real pleasure combined with nostalgia not only for plant lovers – open from the end of April!
RASTATT FAVORITE PALACE: 300 YEARS OF THE HERMITAGE
A unique work of architecture has been preserved in the garden of the Rastatt Favorite pleasure palace (maison de plaisance): this is where the Margravine Sibylla Augusta had a Hermitage built, remotely set in the spacious, wooded garden grounds. The palace and the garden with its structures all represent very personal creations of the exceptional Princess. Sibylla Augusta had a Magdalene Chapel built in the Hermitage, to which she would withdraw to pray. In 2018, this octagonal masterpiece in the park will be 300 years old – and has long since been one of the last examples of such architecture. The State Palaces and Gardens are commemorating the anniversary of this rarity with an exhibition, tours, events and a publication.
MAULBRONN MONASTERY – A UNESCO MONUMENT FOR 25 YEARS
25 years ago in the autumn of 1993, the decision was taken to declare Maulbronn Monastery a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. This international recognition is due to the fact that here it is possible to experience the most completely preserved medieval Cistercian monastery north of the Alps – including the countryside, which even today is still shaped by the economic activities of the Order. As was the case 25 years ago, the celebrations begin in the autumn: the first event is a high-profile scientific colloquium from 8th to 10th November 2018. And in 2019, the diverse programme gets underway with an “Open Monastery Gate Day” in the spring!
THE END OF THE MONARCHY
1918/1919 One hundred years ago in 1918, the First World War came to an end – and with it the period of monarchy in Germany: the rulers of Wuerttemberg and Baden abdicated, while both these states became republics with a parliamentary government and democratic constitutions within the German Reich. Since then, most of the palaces have belonged to the state - and thus to all citizens. At the end of 2018, the State Palaces and Gardens of Baden-Wuerttemberg are taking up this epochal change by making the palaces and democracy a major theme with many events.
NEW AND ESTABLISHED SPECIAL TOURS IN 2018
Every year anew: the State Palaces and Gardens are constantly redesigning their programme with unusual tours while further developing it. Whether a tour with a Lady or Gentleman in historical costume to invite you into her/his epoch with charm and theatrical skills, whether a pleasure tour combining the historical experience with a culinary indulgence, whether a children’s programme, a “look behind the scenes” or a candlelight tour: plenty of new and never before seen exhibits will be repeatedly on display. All programmes are conveniently available on our website.