Tourist Attractions in Ludwigsburg

The Ludwigsburg Palace, built by various architects between 1704 and 1733 on the model of Versailles, is the largest surviving Baroque palace in Germany. The interior (452 rooms) is richly appointed in Baroque, Roccoco and Empire style (conducted tours; Palace Festival in summer). In the New Wing is a section of the Württemberg Provincial Museum devoted to the courtly art of the Baroque period.

5km/3mi west of Ludwigsburg is the little town of Asperg (Fire Brigade Museum). High above the town, topping a conical hill, rises the fortress of Hohenasperg, now a penal establishment (conversion into a cultural center planned). Among those confined in the old fortress were the poet Christian Daniel Schubart (1777-87) and the economist Friedrich List (1824-25). There is an attractive walk round the fortress (views).

The annual five-month Castle festival runs from May to September and includes almost nightly performances in Ludwigsburg and surrounding towns.

The events include operas, symphonic, chamber and choral concerts, piano and organ recitals, dance and theatrical performances and even jazz gigs.

The repertoire also varies from Renaissance and traditional music to 20th-century works.

The venues include local theaters and churches.

The Baroque town center in Ludwigsburg lies to the west of the palace and the main road. Here, in Marstallstrasse, is the Graevenitz Palace (restored), built by Duke Eberhard Ludwig for his mistress Countess Graevenitz (1686-1744).

North of the Ludwigsburg palace (pedestrian bridge over the main road) lies the Favoritepark (game park, nature reserve), with the little Baroque palace of Favorite (1718-23).

To the south of the Ludwigsburg palace, beyond the Bärenwiese gardens, is the Forum am Schlosspark, a concert hall and theater opened in 1988. Part of the Palace Festival is staged here.

In the beautiful Ludwigsburg park (garden show in summer) are an aviary and a Fairytale Garden. On the east side of the park Mömpelgardstrasse boasts a terrace of Baroque houses.

In the Marktplatz in Ludwigsburg (Market Fountain, with a statue of Duke Eberhard Ludwig, founder of the town) are the twin-towered Town Church (Stadtkirche; 1718-26; Protestant) and the plain Trinity Church (Dreieinigkeitskirche; 1721-27; R.C.). Also in the square is the birthplace of the 19th century writer Justinus Kerner. In the vicinity are the birthplaces of the poet Eduard Mörike (1804-75; Kirchstrasse 2), the writer on aesthetics F. T. Vischer (1807-87; Stadtkirchenplatz 1) and the theologian David Friedrich Strauss (1808-74; Marstallstrasse 1). To the north of the Marktplatz lies the Holzmarkt, in which can be seen an obelisk bearing copper plaques with the portraits of these four famous sons of Ludwigsburg.

The avenue through Favoritepark in Ludwigsburg runs in a straight line to the little palace of Monrepos (1760-64), on the lake.

To the east of the Ludwigsburg palace, in Schorndorfer Strasse, can be found the old Porcelain Manufactory, recently restored. During the restoration the original kilns were rediscovered.