Baroque Gardens

After Germany had experienced such devastation from the Thirty Years’ War, the country had to work hard to rebuild. One way of accomplishing this was with an amazing art form – gardens. Interestingly, in the midst of war two amazing men, Maurice and Wallenstein of Nassau worked hard to keep peace. Sadly, war had left many areas of Germany as wasteland with few inhabitants. Even so, people desperately wanted peace. As the art of gardening grew, it also increased the power of a number of future princelings.

Then during the second half the 17th century, things began to change as prosperity increased. New homes were built that were quite splendid and older homes repaired. The majority of princes, primarily north and west, took the designs from Versailles as an excellent example of what German gardens could look like, something that was visibly incredible. At this time, the people could begin to see some of Italy’s influence incorporated in garden designs.

When you look at the German courtyards starting in the 18th century, you will discover a beautiful balance of French garden art and Italian architecture. Several years later, the French style of buildings was seen. In fact, the Duke during this era was mesmerized by the magnificence, excited about what the French and Italians had done to his place.

A fascinating fact is that maintaining these beautiful gardens were expensive, costing approximately $6,000 annually. In the year 1679, that would have been staggering for that time. When the Duke passed away, his successor, Prince Ernst August was very upset about the cost of maintaining Herrenhausen’s grounds but even so, he also made the decision to double the garden’s size, which is what you will see it as today.

This Baroque garden and others can be seen throughout Germany. Their lush greenery and magnificent designs, which usually includes a fountain and flowers, is something at which you simple must marvel. Take the Rosenberg Castle for example. When Prince Johann Christian married Marie Ernestine von Eggenberg in 1666, they immediately turned their focus on the lower, new town gardens. For five years starting in 1678, they worked to have uneven terrain leveled, walls built, and a lake dug. While the original shape of the garden was rectangular, it was later reconstructed.

What you will find with this and other German Baroque gardens is that the hub of the garden passes through the center somewhat like a spine. Then, the garden is divided into symmetrical areas, which are then divided again by square pathways. This garden design had a renaissance appeal and architectonic use of space. With more advanced Baroque elements incorporated, the garden became both horn-beamed lanes and side paths to raise this axis.

Commonly, Baroque gardens in Germany were designed to enjoy from both near and far. In other words, with the many pathways, you could walk among the gardens, enjoying the lake or fountain or simply look out from a palace, castle, or cottage window to enjoy the beautiful of the greenery and flowers. When visiting Germany, it is important that you take time to visit some of these such as Krumlov Gardens, which is a truly magnificent display of the talent and passion poured into Baroque garden designs.


Last Updated: 10/19/2006 3:14:00 PM

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