Bayreuth Things to Do

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Is the Old Palace of Bayreuth. It is a huge, four winged complex that date's back to the 13th century. It was re-designed in the 16th & 17th centuries, and rebuilt in the 1950's after being damaged in WWII.
The Schloss stands out, as it is painted white, with rust colour trimming's.
It is here, in the Palace Church, that the Royal crypt stands, containing the sarcophaguses of the Margrave Friedrich and Margravine Wilhelmine.

What you can see in my photo, is a Landmark of Bayreuth. It is the octagonal Bell Tower that was built in 1656, which is commonly known as the "Scholssturm."
What is unique here, is, not only is there a spiral staircase, but also a ramp built alongside for the transportation of goods. The furnished Guard's room at the top gives panoramic view's over the city and afar.

ADMISSION.....Adults 1 euro

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There was a lot of damage to the Palace from WWII, so afterwards, restoration of the Palace and garden's began.
Some of the original feature's had disappeared, one of them was the beautiful Canal Garden.
It needed reconstructing, and this was done by emptying the earth out of the cascade and restoring the Treillage at the large Pond.
This area is nice and shady and has bridge crossing over the Canal. From here, I looked directly at the New Palace. There were statue's of Horse's on the edges, and in the middle was the round Swan Island with statue's of Thetis and Triton's group.
People were picnicking here, and generally just strolling around and enjoying it, just like I was!

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What a surprise I had when I thought I was going into a hot house to see tropical plant's!

Inside, there weren't any plants, but a wall full of old statue's, and plenty of seating inbetween to rest the legs.
After looking at the website map [below] I think this may have been in the Orangery. I know as I stood in front of the Palace garden, it was on the left hand side.
The location is my last photo.

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With the New Palace complete in 1753, it was time to begin building the garden.
Since the end of the 16th century, margravial property and garden was here, so all that was needed, was to extend and redesign.

I love garden's, and I thought this one was really nice! The central axis of the garden was a canal with four islands. In the 18th century, the garden was made into an English style park, with winding paths and many Tree's.
The canal with the large island, the three main avenues and a few huge trees dating from the 19th century are still there.
Close to the New Palace, the lawn's were clipped, and there were ornamental flower bed's on the sides, these happened to be flowering. I found plenty of Statue's, water feature's and more, making it a delight for me to walk around.

How nice to have this in the City of Bayreuth, and it is FREE to walk around.

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I found many nice Fountain's in Bayreuth.
The Elias Rantz Fountain, is a large Fountain situated in front of the New Palace. On top, is a statue of the Margrave Christian Ernst (1661 to 1712). It's surrounded by different animal's that are spouting water from their mouth's. I thought it was really nice.

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Margravial Opera House is quoted as ...
"The most beautifully preserved baroque Opera house in Europe." I would have to agree!

The Opera house was built to celebrate the engagement in 1744 of Duke Carl Eugen von Wurttemberg to 12 year old, Elisabeth Friederike Sophie, the daughter of Wilhelmine and Friedrich.
Wedding festivities took place, with performances of the operas "Il trionfo d'Ezio" and "Artaxerxes

The Opera House, is one of the few remaining 18th-century Theatre buildings in Europe. The interior of this theatre has tiers of boxes, made entirely of wood, and the Stage, until 1871, was one of the largest in Germany. It is beautifullly lit, has lovely balconies and art work.
It was famous architect,Guiseppe Galli Bibiena from Bologna, who built the interior in festive Italian baroque style, which was his hallmark.
We had this beautiful Theatre all to ourselves. It was truly magnificent!

OPEN.....
April - September 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
October - March 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
closed during the day of evening performance

ADMISSION IN 2011.....Adults ...6.00 euros
Under 18years....FREE

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The 18th century Bayreuth New Palace is long building, built in the style of "Bayreuth Rococo."
The Palace, reflects the life and works of Wilhelmine and her husband Friedrich.

Friedrich and Wilhelmine's Old Palace was burnt to the ground, but before this happened, they had already decided that they needed a New Palace. This is the building I was viewing today.
It is believed that Wilhelmine contributed quite a lot to the planning and building of the New Palace. It was built next to the "Pleasure garden's." Inside is said to have a lot of Rococo.

OPEN....April - September 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
...........October - March 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

There is a guided tour in English every day at 2.15 p.m.

ADMISSION IN 2011...ADULTS....6.00 euros
under 18 years admission free