Hidden behind the majestic walls of the royal staterooms lies the simple servants' realm. Inconspicuous jib doors, invisible passageways and stairs lead through the world behind this beautiful surface.
Fleeting glimpses of courtly splendor…
It took many servants to make the lives of the nobility living in the luxurious residences as comfortable as possible. The staff's living and working spaces were often small, dark and poorly ventilated. At Ludwigsburg Residential Palace, many of the servants' rooms remain in their original condition today. Their existence, behind the shine of the majestic facade, is hard to imagine, concealed in intermediate stories, back courtyards and attics.
Hidden interior courtyard in the new central building.
Two invisible interior courtyards were built by architect Donato Giuseppe Frisoni in the new central building at Ludwigsburg Residential Palace. They provide light for the neighboring rooms and servants' corridors. Technical details reveal just how sophisticated the plans drawn up by the Italian architect were. The fixtures for water supply and waste water removal are still identifiable today.
One of the servant stairways in the new central building.
Servants were meant to perform their duties as invisibly as possible. They were not allowed to use official hallways and staircases. Therefore, hidden stairs were built behind the palatial staircases and led from the basement to the roof. They comprise a labyrinth of passageways from which stoves and fireplaces in the royal rooms were tended from the back. A unique testament to history has been preserved here. The servants' realm tells the stories about the difficult lives of simple people at a time characterized by extreme social stratification.
Interested in seeing the servants' quarters? The "A look behind the scenes" tour opens otherwise closed doors: Explore stove-stoking halls, secret cellar vaults, and hidden interior courtyards. Scheduled dates can be found online in the events calendar.
