Fürstengarten

Duke Franz II had the princely garden laid out on the Freudenberg in the summer of 1590. Around 1656, court gardener Lilie transformed the previously overgrown hunter's garden into a magnificent Baroque "pleasure garden" based on the Bohemian model. The resulting representative feature of the dukes of the time became a jewel whose unique beauty was repeatedly described by travelers. On the southern slope of the hill, a domed vault was created in which festive events were held, the grotto. According to the fashion of the time, ancient statues stood in the niches of the round building. The grotto had a special function for the ruler: this was where he met with his mistress. This semi-public, semi-private presentation of his love life was a feature of the Baroque period, in which the ruler sought to emphasize his position in society through pomp and ceremony. The grotto was restored in 1979 and now houses an Ascanian exhibition. The park was restored to its original plans in 2005. Today you can still discover some exotic plants in the princely garden, the ginkgo tree is particularly worth seeing. You also have a wonderful view over the Elbe from the viewing terrace.