Landmark · Benrath

Benrath Palace

Benrath Palace in the south of Düsseldorf is a masterpiece of the late Rococo and one of the loveliest palace ensembles in Germany. The architect Nicolas de Pigage built the pink complex in the 18th century as a pleasure and hunting palace for Elector Carl Theodor. In front of the main building stretches the great mirror pond, which reflects the elegant façade in the water. All around extends an expansive palace park with avenues, canals and old stands of trees. Today the palace houses museums of garden art and natural history and invites you to a walk through princely garden and building art.

A Rococo total work of art

Benrath Palace is regarded as an outstanding example of the late Rococo and was built in the 18th century by the architect Nicolas de Pigage as a pleasure and hunting palace for Elector Carl Theodor. The delicate pink façade, the balanced proportions and the artful interior furnishings make the palace a harmonious total work of art. Building, garden and water surfaces are conceived as an inseparable unity, which is what gives the complex its special appeal.

Mirror pond & palace park

In front of the corps de logis stretches the great mirror pond, in which the pink façade is picturesquely reflected. Behind it extends an expansive palace park with long avenues, geometric canals, sculptures and mighty old stands of trees. The park invites you to extended walks and shows how artfully whole landscapes were designed as part of the architecture in the 18th century.

Museums & visit

Today the ensemble houses several museums at once: a museum of European garden art and a natural history museum, plus the magnificently furnished corps de logis itself. Benrath Palace lies in the south of the city and is easily reached by light rail. If you like, combine the interior tour with an extensive walk through the park — especially in spring and autumn the complex unfolds all its magic.

from 14 EUR History Parks & Nature

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