Visit the Fantaisie Palace (Schloss Fantaisie) to learn about the evolution and history of garden design. Exhibits inside the halls of this Renaissance-style palace showcase the aspects of gardens typical of southern Germany between the 1600s to 1800s. Browse the artifacts and admire the elegant architecture of Fantaisie Palace and then spend time exploring the park and pleasure garden.
The origins of the palace date back to medieval times, although work on the present-day Renaissance building began in 1761. Elisabeth Friederike Sophie, a duchess and princess of the House of Hohenzollern, inherited it in 1763 and redeveloped it into a summer residence. Major work was carried out on rooms such as the marquetry cabinet, notable for its wooden Bavarian rococo decor. Duchess Sophie Dorothea of Württemberg made further changes, including the neoclassical and stucco interior of the White Hall banquet room.
Today the Garden Museum occupies 20 of the palace rooms and presents a detailed overview of garden design in Bavaria and Franconia from the 17th to 19th centuries. Learn about the 18th-century change from formal French-style gardens to landscaped, English-style designs. See examples of typical garden architecture, sculptures and water features plus exhibits about the use of flowers, fruits and vegetables. Retrace the development of the palace and its inhabitants via a historical timeline.
Stroll amid the tranquil confines of the palace garden, designed around 1850 by Duke Alexander von Württemberg. It combines elements from the rococo, sentimental and eclecticism periods. Delight in the carpet beds, geometric flower displays, lush green lawns, terraced vineyard and trellises. Study the Neptune fountain, complete with cascading water, retaining walls, steps and sculptures by the Räntz brothers.
Located in the village of Eckersdorf, Fantaisie Palace is a 20-minute drive west of the Bavarian town of Bayreuth. Free parking is possible outside the the entrance to the attraction. You can visit the palace daily except on Mondays from April to mid October and there’s an admission fee. The park is open year round and admission is free.
