Schloss Wörlitz – England and classical antiquity all under one roof

After returning from his Grand Tour Prince Franz chose Wörlitz as the starting point for his project to enhance the appearance of his country. This included the construction of a new house. Between 1769 and 1773 the Schloss was built emulating the country houses of the English nobility. The perfectly preserved, elaborate interior of the house reflects the travels and interests of the Prince. It includes antique sculptures, Italian and Dutch paintings (e.g. Rubens) and English pottery. The elaborate stucco work and the bespoke furniture made specifically for the house by Abraham and David Roentgen bear witness to the artistic inclinations of their patron.

Embedded in this first landscape garden in continental Europe are numerous vistas across the garden which entice the visitor to take a stroll. A well thought-out system of vistas links different parts of the garden with each other and guides the eye into the surrounding countryside. A great number of buildings – some outside the gardens – as well as sculptures and groups of trees form starting or focal points of such views which deliberately blur the boundaries of the garden. The connection of beauty and utility also has an educational angle which is evident, for example, in the programmatic use of different types of bridges throughout the garden, or the construction of an artificial rock island referred to as the »Stein« (lit. The Stone). Vast areas within the garden are used for farming or to grow fruit and the edges of groves, waters, fields and meadows are horticulturally enhanced by manifold plantings.