History worth reading aboutCollections

What once happened at this impressive monument? Unusual stories about life in centuries past? How the monument is managed today? Explore historic snapshots, unusual events and interesting research findings.

Schloss Versailles als Vorbild für Luxus

To see and buy new things

Paris as a source of inspiration: Like many members of the Baroque nobility, the duke toured the city and purchased luxury goods.

Travels to Paris

Blick ins Schlosstheater, Residenzschloss Ludwigsburg

Theater for the duke

Duke Carl Eugen employed artists from France for his court theater, which enjoyed a good reputation across Europe to the late 18th century.

French artists in Württemberg

Embroidery on a Baroque shoe in the fashion museum at Ludwigsburg Residential Palace.

Dressing for court

Refined cuts and luxurious fabrics, embroidery and lace: Duke Carl Eugen and his retinue dressed in French fashions.

French fashion in Württemberg

Winning country and rank

Thanks to some skillful negotiations, Duke Friedrich II von Württemberg drew considerable gains from his alliance with Napoleon Bonaparte.

Württemberg becomes a kingdom

Ludwigsburg Residential Palace, soirée royale.

Dining with the duke

Lavishly set tables with unusual dishes were a sign of the ruler's wealth and power. The seating order was a reflection of ranking order.

Baroque dining fashions

Cooking for the king

Many servants were responsible for retrieving ingredients for the dishes and then transporting the dishes to the royal table.

Daily life in the court kitchen

Ludwigsburg Residential Palace, Meissner porcelain belonging to Queen Charlotte Mathilde, 1810–1820.

Expensive, decorative and practical

New porcelain containers were created for these luxury beverages. These valuable pieces are now housed in the ceramics museum.

Porcelain for coffee, tea and chocolate

Venice in Württemberg

Every year around Carnival (November to February), Duke Carl Eugen brought a piece of Italy to his Swabian homeland in the form of a colorful masquerade.

The Venetian Fair