Discover the magnificent Wartburg Castle and its significant role in German history
Enjoy the elaborate Baroque interiors at Heidecksburg Palace and elegant Rococo schemes at Mosigkau Palace
Explore an abundance of scenic parklands and charming gardens, including a highlight visit to Wörlitz Palace
“Tom has an encyclopedic knowledge of the arts, he was very generous and caring with nothing being too much trouble, and gave us an experience that is impossible to replicate if operating solo”
– ACE customer on a previous tour led by Tom Abbott
Join ACE on this new tour exploring the outstanding collection of palaces, castles and picturesque gardens in the regions of Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. With aesthetics ranging from the Baroque to the Rococo, these opulent royal estates will immerse us in the rich histories of the German nobility. We will also spend time in their abundant gardens and grounds, carefully cultivated to showcase a variety of beautiful planting schemes, emulating the enchanting lands of Germanic fairytales.
The hilltop positioning of Wartburg Castle, nestled amongst the dense Thuringian forest, offers panoramic views to match its imposing facade. The castle possesses an eventful history, traceable through its architecture and stories of its past: Martin Luther famously took refuge here while translating the New Testament into German, and the Great Hall remains vastly unchanged with its magnificent Romanesque mosaics. The permanent collection contains both artistic and historical gems including displays of medieval artefacts and a rare cabinet engraved by Albrecht Dürer.
Another site that has retained many of its original features is Friedenstein Castle in Gotha, showcasing some of Germany’s best-preserved examples of early Baroque architecture. Meanwhile Kochberg Castle, the former country estate of the Von Stein family, is famed for its significance in the life of Johan Wolfgang Von Goethe, who courted Charlotte von Stein and frequented the castle between 1775 and 1788. Rooms here are decorated with original furniture and artworks; outside, a small rivulet flows through the grounds, guiding us towards rugged tower ruins.
We will indulge in further aesthetic highlights with a visit to Mosigkau Palace and Gardens, where a grand collection of oil paintings covers the walls as if curated by a 17th century art connoisseur. Nicknamed ‘Little Sanssouci’, the estate is brimming with charm and elegance, standing as one of the few remaining Rococo palaces in Central Germany. We will also enjoy the exceptionally elaborate surroundings at Heidecksburg Palace, originally a Renaissance estate adapted with a Baroque sensibility. Visiting the living room and picture gallery we will encounter intricate stucco ceilings, complete with golden accents and lavish chandeliers.
The Garden Realm of Dessau-Wörlitz is a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring historical grounds and wonderful architectural design. Informed by English landscape garden principles, its flowing transitions will lead us past idyllic lakes and woodlands, a Neo-Gothic structure, a small synagogue and replicas of Roman temples. Various arch bridges attest to the 18th century quest for modernity, as well as the integration of arable land that was initially intended for educational purposes.
We are delighted to include a visit to Germany's most esteemed royal estate, Sanssouci Palace and Gardens in Potsdam, on our final day. Its aesthetics champion the meaning of its name, which translates to "without worry”, by harmonising beautifully balanced interiors rendered in Baroque and Rococo aesthetics. The marble hall – constructed using Carrara and Silesian stone, adorned with an opulent gold domed ceiling – is a shining example of this. Tranquillity continues throughout its gardens, where greenery cascades down a series of terraced platforms toward vast Baroque-style grounds, further decorated by a series of statues, sculptures and unique pavilions.
Our first four nights will be spent in the Dorint Hotel Am Goethepark in Weimar, followed by two nights in the Landhaus Wörlitzer Hof in Wörlitz. Whilst some facilities are of a more basic standard, they offer comfortable stays in excellent proximity to our visits.
Tom Abbott
Tom is an art and architectural historian associated with the Foundation of Prussian Palaces and Gardens. He has been a resident of Berlin for over thirty years and has extensive experience directing cultural and art tours in Europe.
This tour will be led by Tom Abbott, BA, MA, an independent art and architectural historian associated with the Foundation of Prussian Palaces and Gardens. A resident of Berlin for over thirty years, he is a proficient lecturer and tour leader, with extensive experience directing cultural and art tours in Europe. His expertise concerning art and architecture ranges from the medieval to the current, and is highlighted in his knowledge and fascination with the Baroque and Rococo, the Romantic Movement, garden history and the musical heritage of Germany, as well as all aspects of European modern and contemporary art, architecture and history.
7
£3495
PCCG-26
