Schwetzingen, Germany

 

Asparagus vendor sculpture 

Lucky Pig of Schwetzingen was created in 2016 for the 1250th anniversary of the town. Friedrich the Great once described the prince elector (who is riding the pig) as a lazy chap and a lucky pig who inherited more states than he conquered.

Dinner at the summer palace.

The wig room where the wigs were made white with powder.

The dressmaker’s workshop.

Sleeping quarters for ?

The bathroom. The “chair” would be brought out into the room as the ladies in their big dresses wouldn’t fit through the door. 

The beds were short because the people slept sitting up. Lying down completely was only for the dead.

Locks on the doors were massive.

The card/ entertaining room could seat 16-20 people

The dining room when they weren’t entertaining.

Another bedroom - room for 1

Sitting area in bedroom

Waiting hall - it was customary to have visitors wait for an audience and depending on your status determined how long you had to wait so chairs were provided in the hall.

French and English Gardens provide lots to view and many walking paths.

Aviary circling a fountain. The birds are kept in fenced walls. The 12 birds circling up above are fountains that shower the one bird in the fountain that is attempting to enjoy its prey. 

The road to nowhere

The bath house for one person. Even the attendant had to stay outside.

An outdoor stage and the actors would hide behind these hedges until it was their turn to perform. They would pop in and out to keep the audience awake and entertained.

Backdrop for the theater area

View of the stage and seating area from the top.

Chairs would be set up on this lawn area.

Statue at the end of a path. Nice walking paths.

The Orangerie is a place to hold grand events during the summer months. Orange trees would be grown in pots and housed in this building during the winter months. Later, as the weather warmed up, the potted trees would be brought out and placed around the grass area. The now empty building would provide a large hall to entertain guests. There is a small moat around the grass area. You enter the Orangerie through these enormous hedges.

The stone work and shutters are painted on to look real.

Center fountain in the French Garden. There are 4 additional fountains surrounding the central fountain.

Weddings frequently occur at the palace. There were at least two while we were there.

White asparagus- a specialty in this region. The asparagus plants are covered to prevent the chlorophyll from turning the stalks green. The taste is different, too.

Back on board for lunch then hopefully a quick bike ride along the riverbank.

Sunset on the river.