The other day we visited Benrath Palace (Schloss Benrath) in Dusseldorf, Germany, a UNESCO World Heritage site. My first impressions of the area were created by the tranquil pond (Schlossweiher) in front of the palace and the palaces startling pink walls. The Palace is flanked by two wings for servants with the palace in the middle opposite the pond, all in that iconic pink hue. Benrath Palace was originally built for Prince-elector Palatine Carl Theodor, Duke of Bavaria, and his wife as a summer get-away but the place rarely saw them visit. In fact, a month after its completion Theodor visited the palace once for a few hours and never returned, this was because right after its construction the electoral residence was moved to Munich. Munich being too far from Dusseldorf for a weekend trip, it was simply too far to travel.
Walking around the gardens at Benrath Palace was simply breathtaking. The garden consists of Theodor’s personal garden (in the English style), his wife’s garden (in the French style), an old Orangery, and a large garden with alley’s for hunting. I thought the most impressive part of the garden was the French style area, where everything lined up perfectly into a neat corridor leading to a stunning pond. Not to say the interior of the main garden wasn’t impressive as well, I remember being within that maze and stumbling upon a football field sized space lined with trees and felt completely secluded within the walls of the hedges and undergrowth. Getting lost in that garden is really something I’ll never forget.
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