The palace that grew a town: Residenzschloß Ludwigsburg

The palace was developed from the original hunting lodge by adding on wings and pavilions. These extensions follow the underlying grid. Every extension of the palace building meant an extension of the palace gardens in order to keep a balanced whole. The residential palace grew into a vast complex. The original hunting lodge was enlarged into a Corps de Logis with two four-room apartments. This central building was extended sideway by two pavilions (a Hunting Pavilion and a Playing Pavilion) connected by galleries and with two short side wings protruding forward from them: the Ordensbau and Riesenbau.

In 1715 another extension program started. This involved raising two new wings extending forward from the pavilion wings: the so-called Cavalierbauten (literally: Horsemen's Buildings). Off these wings two chapels, a theatre and banqueting hall (Festinbau) were built, resulting in an extended three winged structure around an honor court (Ehrenplatz).

The residential palace of Ludwigsburg was developed by extending and enlarging a hunting lodge into a vast complex around an honor court with the emblematic Adlerbrunnen (Eagle fountain) in the centre.

As the enlarged building was being completed it had already become too small for housing a full ducal court. So a new Corps de Logis was constructed opposite the honor court. This vast extension doubled the palace and was completed in 1733. It consists of a three winged structure that was attached to the older palace forming a large carré. To finish the complex of two large pavilions where constructed on the corners of the new main wing (to improve the proportions of the garden facade).

The honor court is a large open space at the center of the palace complex. Here the view across from the new Corps de Logis towards the old Corps de Logis that encapsulated the old hunting lodge. Flanking the parade ground are the two Cavelierbauten and behind them the Ordensbau (left) and Riesenbau (right). In the centre of the honor court stands the Eagle fountain.

The emblematic Adlerbrunnen (Eagle fountain) in the centre of the honor court of the palace. A copy was placed on the axis of the Neues Schloß (new castle) in Stuttgart and can still be seen in situ. On the right an image of the garden facade of the new Corps de Logis as seen from the lower parterre in the south garden.