Business Hotel Schwert

The Baroque Town Plan

by Kathrin_E

Rastatt is one of those baroque residence towns that were planned and built "on the green meadow" by a an absolutist Prince. These new residences consist of a palace with the garden or park on one side and the town on the other, all based on one geometrical master plan, which is still visible in town today. The old town and the palace were not much affected by World War II, most of the architecture is still original.

Rastatt was designed after the model of Versailles around 1700. Note the three radial streets that meet in front of the palace - this is the same structure as in the town plan of Versailles.

The centre of the town is the rectangular market square between the town hall and the church.

Pagodenburg - the Tiniest Palace I Ever Saw

by Russell_the_Wombat

From Favorite, we cycled along some country roads until we reached the bike trail along the river Murg. Luckily Mommy is better at reading maps than I am, so we found our way easily.

Unfortunately the Murg is a dead river. It has been turned into a canal some decades ago when people thought such measures would prevent floods. Today we know that canalizing a river makes things worse, not better. No one would do this any more, for which we can be glad also because it is plain ugly.

Three particular historical buildings form an interesting ensemble on the edge of the town centre. Two are baroque and were built for Sibylla Augusta around 1715/1720. The third was added around 1900.

They are located on a terrace above the river bank. There are some nice perspectives to play with.

The little Pagodenburg is the tiniest palace I have ever seen. The Margravine used it as a tea-house.

The big yellow water tower dominates the view. It is a much younger acquisition, though. I do not think the Margravine would have liked it.

See how small it is! I can easily reach the edge of the roof with my paws while sitting on the lawn.

The surrounding terrace is covered by a little garden.

Here you see the substruction wall of the terrace.