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Augustusburg Castle (the sumptuous residence of the prince-archbishops of Cologne) and the Falkenlust hunting lodge (a small rural folly) are among the earliest examples of Rococo architecture in 18th-century Germany
Dans le cadre idéal d'un paysage de jardins
somptueuse résidence des princes-archevêques de Cologne
sont parmi les premières manifestations du style rococo dans l'Allemagne du XVIIIe siècle
يقع قصر أغسطسبرغ في إطار مثالي من الجمال ضمن مجموعة حدائق وهو مقر فخم لأمراء – أساقفة كولونيا
ويُضاف إليه جناح فولكنلاست، وهو "شهوة" زراعية صغيرة شيّدت في الحقول، ليشكّل المبنيان أوائل براعم نمط الروكوكو في المانيا في القرن الثامن عشر
奥古斯塔斯堡周围风景优美,颇具田园风情,这里曾是科洛涅(Cologne)大主教奢华的住所,而法尔肯拉斯特古堡(the Falkenlust hunting lodge)则是一处狩猎场(小规模乡下活动)。这两个建筑都是18世纪德国洛可可风格最早的杰作。
роскошная резиденция кëльнских князей-архиепископов
и охотничий замок Фалькенлуст расположены в идиллическом садовом ландшафте
Эти здания относятся к самым ранним образцам архитектуры рококо в Германии XVIII в
El palacio de Augustusburgo fue la suntuosa residencia de los arzobispos-príncipes de Colonia
En medio de los espléndidos jardines que lo rodean se halla el pabellón de Falkenlust
Ambas construcciones figuran entre las primeras obras arquitectónicas del arte rococó en la Alemania del siglo XVIII
the sumptuous residence of the prince-archbishops of Cologne
are among the earliest and best examples of 18-century Rococo architecture in Germany
and directly linked to the great European architecture and art of unprecedented richness of the time
planned and constructed this large residence at Brühl on the foundations of a medieval castle
It consists of three wings built of brick with rough-cast rendering and has two adjoining orangeries
one on the south side which includes an oratory
while the other to the north houses various service buildings
a bold and successful revamping of the lack-lustre construction of Schlaun and the hunting lodge of Falkenlust
are one of the best examples of the Rococo style
this international art of unprecedented richness
the staircase of Balthasar Neumann – considered a work of creative genius – is a rapturous structure which unites a lively movement of marble and stucco
and culminates in the astonishing frescoed ceiling of Carlo Carlone
and the private apartments are organised in a hierarchy of effects of outstanding conception
while the décor “bon enfant” of the new grand summer apartments
with its faience tiles from the Low Countries
The Castle of Falkenlust stands in its own small park
It was built by François de Cuvilliés between 1729 and 1737 for Prince-Elector of Cologne
to practise his favourite sport of falconry
The main building has two floors and is built in the style of a country house in brick with a rough-cast rendering
It is flanked by two rectangular single-storey buildings
which originally housed the Prince Elector´s falcons and are now mainly used for exhibitions
Falkenlust is a country house with symmetrical avant-corps
an oval salon is conceived in the same language of improvisation
and liberty François de Cuvilliés was known for in his work
its walls faced with shells and concretions
The large gardens of Augustusburg and Falkenlust
pupil of Le Nôtre) proved more aware of landscape decor
multiplying monumental ramps and symmetrical flowerbeds
is a two-part embroidery-like parterre that includes four fountains and the Mirror Pool fed by a small cascade
running from a circular basin with an impressive fountain
Alleys lined with lime-trees flank the embroidery parterre and lead to triangular boscages
The adjoining semi-circular park is enclosed by a ditch and a wall
The main alley is crossed diagonally by a second pathway
and leads south-east through the field to the Castle of Falkenlust
nonetheless endeavours to create the randomness of a natural site
Criterion (ii): Augustusburg and Falkenlust represent the first important creations of Rococo style in Germany
they were a model in the majority of the princely courts
Criterion (iv): The castles and gardens of Augustusburg and Falkenlust are the eminent example of the large princely residence of the 18th century
The whole site comprising the Castle of Augustusburg
contains all the elements necessary to express the Outstanding Universal Value
The original overall design of the Castles has been maintained to an exceptional extent
It has preserved its character as a Rococo electoral residence and has
been spared any subsequent transformations due to continued use and function as a residence and museum
The gardens of Augustusburg Castle are among the few in Europe to have been restored to their original plan
They can be said to be the most authentic example of formal gardens in the French style outside of France
The laws and regulations of the Federal Republic of Germany and the State of North Rhine-Westphalia guarantee the consistent protection of the Castles of Augustusburg and Falkenlust
They are listed monuments according to § 2 and § 3 of the Act on the Protection and Conservation of Monuments in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia
Building activities within and outside the property are regulated by § 9 (2) Protection Law
Local Building Plans and regional Land Use Plans
the property is protected by the Federal Nature Conservation Act
The castles are opened to the public as museums
and the sustainable use of the World Heritage site
Construction and conservation issues are organized and managed in close co-operation with the Office for the Conservation of Monuments of the Rhineland Regional Council (LVR – Amt für Denkmalpflege)
The management system consists of a set of maintenance and conservation measures which is checked yearly and updated when required by a Steering Committee; members are representatives of the State
This light and shadow show takes viewers through the 1,000-year history of Bamberg in 90 minutes
The show is held at a small chapel in one of the oldest rooms in the city so you can feel fully immersed as you travel back in time via shadow theater to learn the history of what makes Bamberg a UNESCO World Heritage city
The Salzburg Christmas market is set in the middle Old Town Salzburg
It is deemed one of the most beautiful and oldest Christmas markets in the world
This market is steeped in tradition and focused on stalls that sell many handicrafts and toys made in a traditional fashion
Regional delicacies are also available such as Kaiserschmarrn a type of shredded pancake
and enormous pretzels smothered in Swiss cheese
Promenade in your regency era costumes and participate in costumed balls
theatrical performances and much more to celebrate one of the world’s most renowned female authors
2025 will mark the 250th year since Jane Austen came into the world
The annual festival will be hosting special events throughout the year to celebrate
including a Yuletide Jane Austen Birthday Ball in the Bath pump rooms in December
This festival takes place just on the flanks of UNESCO World Heritage Site
Pistachios have been a long-lasting culinary staple in Sicily
This annual celebration of the “green gold of Sicily” has tasting sessions
You can taste and buy many pistachio-based products such as pesto
As an accompaniment to the Paris 2024 Olympic games being hosted on the Versailles estate
the palace will display an exhibit dedicated to horses and equestrian civilization in Europe
It is the first exhibit of this theme to be presented on this large of a scale
It will lead viewers on a tour through the palace including areas such as the War and Peace Rooms
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The Court Jeweller
Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World
01.15.2023 by thecourtjeweller // Leave a Comment
Numerous sparkling suites of diamond jewelry were added to the British royal vaults during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II
including this demi-parure set with petite pear-shaped diamonds
In March 1987, King Fahd of Saudi Arabia made a four-day state visit to the United Kingdom. On the third day of the visit, King Fahd gave a dinner for the British royals at Claridge’s in London. At that dinner, the Queen wore Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik with a new set of jewelry: a necklace and earrings set with pear-shaped diamonds
The Queen wore the necklace and earrings on occasion in the following years. She paired the jewels with Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik and Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Brooch for a dinner during her state visit to Germany in 1992
She also wore the necklace and earrings for the Royal Variety Performance in November 2005
More recently, parts of the suite have been worn by other members of the royal family. The Countess of Wessex wore the necklace and earrings with her recently-renovated wedding tiara for the American state banquet at Buckingham Palace in June 2019
Categories // united kingdom
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adept at finding themes to tie together protests nationwide
took to the streets holding painted eggs in a nod to the Easter holiday on Sunday
one group marched through the Insein district chanting and singing protest songs and cradling eggs bearing the slogan “Spring Revolution.” Many of the eggs also bore a drawing of the three-fingered salute
demonstrators gathered on motorbikes to shout protests against the power grab that overthrew the democratically elected government
Myanmar’s military has violently cracked down on protesters and others in opposition
with the latest civilian death toll since the coup at 557
according to the independent Assistance Association for Political Prisoners
More than 2,750 people have been detained or sentenced
security forces opened fire on a crowd of protesters in Pyinmana in central Myanmar
local news outlet Khit Thit Media reported
prayed for the “young people of Myanmar committed to supporting democracy and making their voices heard peacefully
in the knowledge that hatred can be dispelled only by love.”
Sunday’s so-called “Easter Egg Strike” follows other themed days
They included a “Flower Strike,” in which protesters laid flowers in public places to honour those killed by security forces
and a “Silent Strike,” in which people across the country left the streets deserted
the Myanmar special envoy to the UN who goes by one name
posted an image of painted eggs on Twitter and wrote that Myanmar's people have a “great future in federal democracy,” reflecting hopes for the military to step down and reinstate a democratic system
Security forces have continued to spread fear among ordinary citizens
a resident of Yangon recorded video of a group of soldiers and police using sling shots to fire stones at the windows of homes
soldiers and police keep up their intimidation at night with raids on neighbourhoods
police opened fire killing several protesters in Monywa in central Myanmar and elsewhere
With most of the internet access cut or severely restricted by the junta
it is becoming increasingly difficult for people in Myanmar to get images of their plight to the outside world
the military on Friday shut all links apart from those using fiberoptic cable
which was working at drastically reduced speeds
Access to mobile networks and all wireless — the less costly options used by most people in the developing country — remained blocked on Sunday
German police said Tuesday they were investigating after a man dressed as Adolf Hitler rode around a weekend festival in a motorbike sidecar
although he provoked more amusement than outrage -- including from a local policeman
an investigation is always necessary," a spokesman for Saxony police had explained to news agency DPA on Monday
The fake Fuehrer appeared at a classic motorcycle gathering in Augustusburg
and was seen in videos of the event posted online
He sported a toothbrush moustache and was seated in the sidecar of a bike driven by a man dressed as a 1940s-era soldier
In the video people are heard laughing as the pair pass by and a policeman guarding the event pulls out his phone with a smile to take photos
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The officer could now face consequences for his failure to step in
"We would have expected our colleague to put a stop to all this without the least hesitation," the Saxony police spokesman said
Saxony premier Michael Kretschmer also condemned the Hitler pantomime
"Dressing up as a mass murderer is more than just bad taste," he tweeted
"This kind of behaviour is unacceptable and shouldn't be repeated."
The officer seen laughing at the impersonator was summoned for a meeting with his superiors and has "acknowledged his misconduct"
a spokesman for the local Chemnitz police told AFP on Tuesday
He could still face disciplinary action depending on the outcome of the prosecutor's investigation into the incident
The prosecutors are considering whether the Hitler stunt constitutes a possible public order violation
Around 1,800 motorcyclists and 7,500 visitors took part in the weekend classic bike festival in Saxony
a region in former communist East Germany that has made headlines for far-right and neo-Nazi activities in recent years
In addition to the Romantic Road along the Rhine
Germany has more than 5,000 castles open to visitors surrounded by beautiful parks
German castles and parks offer pleasant walks or picnics in the shade of centuries-old trees
silent witnesses of the history that was written over the centuries in castles
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Drachenburg Castle in the Siebengebirge nearby Königswinter
palaces and old fortresses are fascinating for many people
The impressive dwellings are a reminder of another era
Around Bonn there are numerous castles and palaces that carry much history and are certainly worth a day trip
Imposingly perched on the Drachenfels in Königswinter is the Drachenburg Castle
built in neo-early Gothic and neo-Renaissance style
the castle was completed in record time and served as a prestigious residence for the stockbroker
financial expert and later Baron Stephan von Sarter
where the bachelor died in 1902 without having settled his estate
cultivated all kinds of crops and revitalized the building as a kind of castle for society gatherings
Biesenbach sold the estate to the retired cavalry captain Egbert von Simon
His plans exceeded the moderate tourist ambitions of his predecessor
Schloss Drachenburg was to attract masses of visitors as a leisure park but the owner lacked the money for the project
the Order of Christian School Brothers settled in the castle and opened a boarding school there
Drachenburg housed an elite National Socialist school
the castle was heavily damaged and eventually occupied by American troops
a training center moved into the building and then it stood empty for ten years
A planned demolition was prevented in 1963
but it was not until 1971 that a private citizen acquired the property
The textile merchant Paul Spinat had the building repaired and refurnished
Schloss Drachenburg was placed under a preservation order
the North Rhine-Westphalia Foundation for Nature Conservation
Heritage and Cultural Preservation initiated the urgently needed steps toward a comprehensive restoration
a permanent exhibition on the castle's history and the north tower
the top of the Godesburg is located in Bad Godesberg
The foundation stone for the so-called Höhenburg was laid in 1210
wanted to build it on the Rhine as proof of his power - because with his election as bishop
Dietrich I entered into struggles for power in imperial politics
the families of the Hohenstaufen and the Saxon Guelphs were wrestling for power
The opponents Philip of Swabia and Otto of Brunswick were not afraid of anything
The people of Cologne sided with the Guelphs
When Otto was expelled from the communion of the church in 1210
But instead of ending his allegiance to Otto IV
he arranged for the construction of Godesburg Castle
Whether he wanted to protect the southern tip of his territory and the roads to Cologne and Bonn from afar or to create a place of refuge for himself was unknown at the time
Michael's Chapel on the Godesburg has its origins somewhat later
In the 17th century it was built from the stones of a predecessor building
which was presumably erected during the first expansion of the castle from 1244 under Dietrich's famous successor Konrad von Hochstaden
Konrad probably did not like the idea of owning a castle without divine assistance
Kaiser Wilhelm II donated Godesburg Castle
which had been heavily fought over until then and badly destroyed
Today the castle is the landmark of Bad Godesberg
the view of the Siebengebirge and towards Bonn is breathtaking
Inside the castle there is a restaurant today
Visitors can access the lower viewing platforms free of charge
but those who want to go to the top of the tower have to pay an entrance fee
Brühl is home to the impressive Augustusburg and Falkenlust palaces
They are among the most important baroque and rococo buildings in Germany and
were designated a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1984
Augustusburg Palace was one of the favorite residences of the then Cologne Elector and Archbishop Clemens August
the Westphalian master builder Johann Conrad Schlaun first began construction of the castle in 1725 on the ruins of a medieval moated castle
Augustusburg Palace was given its final design by François de Cuvilliés
renowned artists of European renown worked here - for example
who created the design for the grand staircase
Just a short walk from Augustusburg Palace in Brühl
one of the favorite hunting lodges of Cologne's Elector and Archbishop
The choice of the building site for this hunting lodge was determined by the flight path of the herons
courtly society gathered in the sumptuously furnished interiors of Falkenlust Palace
the lavish cabinets stand out - a young Mozart having admired them as early as 1763
Augustusburg Palace was used for many decades as a palace of the Federal President and the Federal Government
A visit to Augustusburg Palace is only possible with a guided tour
which is offered continuously during opening hours
Falkenlust Palace can be visited without a guided tour
Groups of 10 or more are requested to make a reservation
The Electoral Palace in Bonn was also the residence of the Cologne Elector
was familiar with the palaces of the French "Sun King" and
with the help of French architects and craftsmen
He died before he could realize his building plans
and so Clemens August completed his project
but all at the expense of the citizens and peasants
The foundation stone was laid in 1697 for the "Residenz"
but the two side wings were not built until 1715
This annex housed the private apartments of the Elector and offered an unobstructed view of the Kaiserplatz
which was actually used as a leisure or summer palace
today houses the Zoological Institute of Bonn University
To make it easier to travel from the "Residenz" to the Poppelsdorf Palace in absolutist times
an avenue was built between the two palaces
the reconstruction was not started immediately
Only the court garden wing was restored in a simplified form
The use of the palace as an electoral residence ended in 1794 with the invasion of the French Revolutionary troops
Since the former residence is now the main building of the University of Bonn
it can be freely visited when the university is open.The Poppelsdorf Palace houses the Mineralogical Museum and various facilities of the University of Bonn
It is also worth a visit to the botanical garden directly at the castle
the counts Heinrich and Eberhard von Sayn gained influence on the middle Sieg
Around 1150 they built Blankenberg Castle on a hill in the Siegtal
80 meters above the river - within sight of the abbey in Siegburg
A settlement developed in the neighborhood
The fortification high above the Sieg River enabled the Counts of Sayn to control the approaches to the Siegtal and the Bergisches Land as well as to the Westerwald
The castle is one of the largest regional castles in this part of the Rhineland
the castle complex was almost completely destroyed
the gatehouse and sparse remains of a double chapel have been preserved
On the south side stands a mighty bastion tower from the 15th century
Today the outer castle is privately owned and cannot be visited
From here you have a sweeping view of the Siegtal and the Ahrenbachtal
In the middle of Troisdorf is the historical site of Wissem Castle
The history of the court complex dates back to the Merovingian period (500-700 A.D.)
The first written record dates back to 1474
The courtyard was surrounded by moats and served as a fortification and ancestral seat of the Lords of Troisdorf
Components from three epochs make up the building complex
Wissem is an elongated rectangular complex
The manor house was built after 1840 and was renovated and restored in 1954/1955
The east side is occupied by a long quarry stone wing dating back to around 1550
The 18th century brick wings on the north and west sides
Public funding made it possible to rebuild and reconstruct the west wing between 2010 and 2012
The complex is surrounded by the extensive castle park
which merges directly into the Wahner Heide
the castle's manor houses the city's Picture Book Museum
the Museum of Urban and Industrial History Troisdorf and a restaurant have moved into the courtyard complex
Adendorf Castle in Wachtberg is a moated castle
It is one of the best preserved moated castles in the Rhein-Sieg district
The history of the complex dates back to the 14th century
only the foundation walls and the four corner towers remain
Adendorf Castle also includes a castle park
Groups of ten or more people can be guided through Adendorf Castle with advance arrangements
The Auel Castle in Lohmar dates back to 1391
The current main house was not built until 1763
The building is owned by the La Valette-St
Several famous personalities have visited the castle
Also guests there were Tsar Alexander I of Russia and Kaiser Wilhelm II
There are three different types of accommodation in the Auel Hotel
luxuriously furnished rooms take you back to days gone by
The Golf Lodge has a minimalist design made of wood and slate
which even won the NRW Architecture Award in 2018
And the Forest Lodge is an idyllic resort above the Aueler ponds
In the middle of the water stands Heimerzheim Castle
which was first documented in the 13th century
but it has been expanded over the centuries
The castle has been in family ownership since 1825
The von Boeselager family rents out the castle's rooms for private parties
The romantic and idyllic location in the middle of nature and at the same time close to the city makes it ideal for this purpose
It takes only 30 minutes to drive from the castle to Bonn city center
The castle not only offers overnight accommodations but is also located in the direct vicinity of hiking trails of the Eifel National Park and the Römerhof golf course
The Ramersdorfer Kommende was established between 1200 and 1300 as one of the more than 300 commanderies of the Teutonic Knights
It was first documented in1254 and was rebuilt after a fire in 1842 - in the neo-Gothic style
a citizens' initiative fought to preserve the castle
It was to be demolished in the course of the construction of the A59 and A562 but was saved
the castle underwent extensive renovations
This list of castles does not claim to be complete or follow objective criteria. It is also not a ranking. The order is arbitrary. Please note that due to the Corona pandemic, changes or closures can occur at any time and at short notice. Is a castle or palace missing in the listing? Send us an email to online@ga.de.
(Orig. text: ga / Translation: Carol Kloeppel)
The 18th century Augustusburg and Falkenlust Palaces served as residence and hunting château respectively for the then prince-elector of Cologne
The palatial rooms wow with marble pillars
the parks and gardens with boxtree ornaments
| Azyumardi Suntana / Unsplash
the picturesque town is often snowed in and decorated with fairy lights
Monschau is perfect for a day trip and to snap some shots of one of Germany’s cutest villages
The Drachenburg Castle in Königswinter was built as a private villa in the late 19th century
and is architecturally composed of early Gothic and Renaissance elements
the castle was used first as a Catholic school
then as a Nazi elite school from 1942 forward and was heavily damaged during the bombardments of World War II
the building stood empty and started to decay
In the 1970s an investor saved the Drachenburg
which is now a landmarked building and one of the region’s major tourist attractions
learn about the area’s 2,000-year-long winemaking tradition dating back to the Roman Empire
and stop for wine tasting and tours of an estate and the wine cellar
Some 30 kilometres south of Cologne lies the often overlooked city of Bonn–but the charming city actually has quite a lot to offer
Built on the foundations of a Roman settlement
Bonn served as the interim capital of West Germany during the Cold War between 1949 and 1990
It’s the home of Beethoven and gummy bears
has one of the country’s most prestigious universities
entire boroughs lined with Gründerzeit villas
and in spring there’s a festival that celebrates the blossoming of the many cherry trees
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