Staatliche Schlösser und Gärten

Selected highlights of SSG's 2016 programme – The World of Gardens

In 2016, SouthWest Germany's state heritage agency, Staatliche Schlösser und Gärten Baden-Württemberg (SSG) again offers a fresh take on the many beautiful cultural heritage sites that grace south-western Germany. This year's theme is Welt der Gärten (The World of Gardens) – inviting visitors to explore and enjoy gardens that are at the peak of their splendour. Historic monasteries in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg are also celebrating their own special day, Erlebnistag im Kloster, on October 9. All in all, SSG's 2016 programme offers visitors a wide range of opportunities to experience its palaces, castles, monasteries and gardens first-hand.

2016 – Year of the Gardens

Welt der Gärten, this year's special theme, invites visitors to take a closer look at SSG's treasures of flora, fauna and architecture.  The historic gardens are SSG's hidden gems – enchanting paradises abundant in beauty and splendour. Take, for example, Weikersheim Palace and the Baroque atmosphere of the Count of Hohenlohe's picturesque gardens. Or the tranquil landscape garden surrounding Rastatt Favorite Palace, the Baroque summer residence and hunting palace near Rastatt. Or the stunning greenery at Schwetzingen Palace, with its unique architectural features. Those are just three of the many gardens that will be highlighted during 2016. Visitors can also take advantage of the Schlosscard Plus, a special money-saving ticket that offers entry to 24 cultural heritage sites, plus four special events during the Welt der Gärten festival. In total, visitors can enjoy 18 amazing gardens from April to November.

 www.welt-der-gaerten2016.de

Schwetzingen Palace

The renovation of Schwetzingen Palace's exterior was completed several weeks ago, restoring it to its full 18th-century splendour. Meanwhile, work on the interior is ongoing. The palace's entire inventory of furniture and art is currently in SSG's dedicated workshops in Karlsruhe, Germany, where every piece is being examined, restored or repaired as needed. And, the palace museum will re-open, complete with its spectacular original furnishings in late summer 2016.

www.schloss-schwetzingen.de

Discover what life was like in monastery

Erlebnistag im Kloster, a day highlighting SSG's monasteries, proved a great success in 2015. Visitors can still experience at first-hand what life was like as a monk, right down to what he ate – as reflected this year's theme Den Mönchen in den Topf geguckt (literally, looking into the monks' cooking pot). On October 9, 2016, people from all over the world will be able to visit the private world of the monks and their monastery school pupils. A host of cultural heritage sites will be open, from impressive buildings and romantic ruins to chilly medieval chambers to magnificent Baroque halls. The diverse programme offered by participating monasteries is bound to intrigue and delight young and old, leaving indelible memories.

New Special tours join old favorites in 2016

Every year features a new programme of out-of-the-ordinary tours, and 2016 is no exception. Visitors are spoilt for choice. They can, for example, travel back in time on a tour guided by a lady or gentleman in historic costume. Other options include cooking traditional treats, tours just for children, peeks behind the scenes and candlelit walks. SSG's new presentations bring the past to life. Up-to-date information on all the tours is available on the Internet at:

www.schloesser-und-gaerten.de