GRAND-DUCAL LANDSCAPE GARDEN WITH RARE TREESBADENWEILER PARKS

Laid out in the 19 th century based on the model of English parks, Badenweiler Parks are today among the spa parks with the largest number of tree species in Germany. Their impressive buildings date back to various eras, including the Grand Ducal Palace, the Belvedere, the Spa, the Roman Bath Ruins and Badenweiler

Castle.

Johann Michael Zeyher (1770-1843).

MILESTONES

The Badenweiler Parks originally formed a single unit. The beginnings were modest: an avenue of walnut trees was planted on the slope of Badenweiler Castle in 1758. Then from 1824 to 1828, the court councilor and garden director of Schwetzingen at the time, Johann Michael Zeyher, designed a small park with English-style elements. This was extended significantly in the course of the 19th century. The state acquired the land from the House of Baden in 1952. Today it is divided by Friedrichstraße and Schlossplatz into two sections: the Spa Park (“Kurpark”) and the Castle Park (“Schlosspark”).

Kur- und Schlosspark Badenweiler, Großherzogliches Palais

The Grand Ducal Palace.

THE FORMER GRAND DUCAL SPA RESIDENCE

The Castle Park contains the buildings that belonged to the former Grand Ducal Spa Residence: the Grand Ducal Palace, the former stables and the kitchen building. The palace was built on the site of an administrative building dating back to the 16th century. From 1887, under Grand Duke Friedrich I of Baden, it was remodeled by court building director Friedrich Hemberger in the neo-Renaissance style to become the Grand Ducal Spa Residence of Baden. The richly decorated historicist building was most recently used for art exhibitions, events and concerts.

The Roman Bath Ruins and Badenweiler Castle are located inside the park complex.

A CULTURAL TRIO

Above the Castle Park towers Badenweiler Castle, a ruined medieval hilltop fortress. Next to the park are the Badenweiler Roman Bath Ruins – the best-preserved Roman thermal baths north of the Alps. Park buildings such as the classicist belvedere are an integral part of the Badenweiler’s physical cultural heritage. During her stays in Badenweiler, Grand Duchess Stéphanie von Baden greatly appreciated the “pleasure palace”, for which building started in 1811. Today it is used for exhibitions and civil weddings.

Römische Badruine Badenweiler, Dach über der Badruine

Badenweiler Parks feature a number of other sights.

Kur- und Schlosspark Badenweiler, Impression

In the style of an English landscape garden.

A WIDE RANGE OF TREE SPECIES

With its ancient oaks and lime trees, as well as a sizeable collection of non-indigenous trees, including massive redwoods, the Spa Park is one of the most richly varied in Germany in terms of tree species. Meadows and streams lead down in a natural, elegant style from the steep hillside woods to the vineyards and orchards in the foothills. The park thrives on its visual axes, inspired by the concept of the English landscape garden.

Kur- und Schlosspark Badenweiler, Aussichtspunkt „Vogesenblick“

A footpath leads to the viewpoint “Vogesenblick”.

From the viewpoint you have a sweeping view over the Rhine plain as far as the Vosges mountains.