Schloss Favorite Ludwigsburg, Außenfassade

Summer residence set in spacious parklandLudwigsburg Favorite Palace

The baroque Favorite Palace in Ludwigsburg, which once served Duke Eberhard Ludwig as a summer residence and hunting palace, boasts fully preserved Neoclassical interiors

Located directly north of Ludwigsburg’s main residential palace, Favorite Palace (Schloss Favorite) enjoys a commanding position overlooking the extensive Favoritepark. Its magnificent woodland was originally planted to create a pheasant farm.

Schloss Favorite Ludwigsburg, Östliches Zimmer

Ancient Goddesses in the eastern room.

Hunting palace, summer residence, wedding venue

Favorite Palace was constructed from 1717–1723 on behalf of Duke Eberhard Ludwig and to the designs of the court architect Donato Giuseppe Frisoni. Not intended as a permanent residence, the palace primarily served an aesthetic purpose, as a visual counterpoint to the north of Ludwigsburg Residential Palace. Favorite was used for hunting and as a summer residence, with panoramic views from the main floor. In 1748, the palace provided the perfect backdrop for a spectacular fireworks display at the wedding of Duke Carl Eugen and Elisabeth Friederike of Brandenburg-Bayreuth. Later, Carl Eugen moved the pheasant farm, instead introducing white deer to the park. Duke Friedrich II, who was to become Württemberg’s first king in 1806, converted the park into a menagerie with various kinds of deer.

Schloss Favorite Ludwigsburg, Pompejanisches Zimmer

Ceiling in the pompeian room.

Neoclassical charm

In the early 19th century, the Duke – now King Friedrich I of Württemberg – had Favorite’s interiors redecorated in the elegant Neoclassical style. Under the auspices of the architect Nikolaus von Thouret, the rooms were refurbished with elaborate plasterwork and frescoes. In the 20th century, the palace was neglected, falling into disrepair. Then, from 1972–1982, the palace was restored to its former glory, complete with period furniture. Today, Favorite Palace is known across Germany as the backdrop for Nachtcafé, a popular talk show on the public SWR channel.