Slottet Favorite i Rastatt - exklusivt tyskt sommarpalats

Castle Favorite in Rastatt is an exclusive 18th century summer palace in western Germany. Although the owners only spent a few summer weeks here, no expense was spared in decorating it...

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Favorite Castle in Rastatt

The Favorite Castle in Rastatt is a beautiful castle that is open to visitors. You can stroll through the beautiful castle park, but also take a guided tour inside the castle.

Castle Favorite is located just outside the town of Rastatt, in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg in western Germany, near the border with France.

History of the Favorite castle in Rastatt

Margravine Sibylla Augusta of Baden (1675-1733) built the Favorite Castle in Rastatt as a summer resort and hunting lodge between 1710 and 1720, following the death of her husband, Margrave Louis Wilhem (1655-1707). The castle was just under an hour by horse and carriage from the Countess's main castle in Rastatt, and was only used for a few weeks a year.

The palace had a garden and orangeries, which were built in the French style and later partly transformed into the English style. Inside, the Countess had the castle decorated according to the latest and most exclusive trends.

Visiting the Favorite castle in Rastatt

Visiting the Favorite Castle in Rastatt is both interesting and fascinating. To begin with, you can stroll through the beautiful castle garden, which includes avenues, a waterfall, a fish pond, a hermitage, a fountain and a castle café. But the most interesting thing is to take a guided tour inside the castle.

Guided tour of the castle

The only way to see the interior of the Favorite Castle in Rastatt is to join a guided tour. Tours are usually given in German, and if you're not a German-speaking person, you can get a written guide where you can read about the rooms during the tour.

We started in the 'Sala Terena', the central ceremonial hall. Here you can see, among other things, the blue and white tiles, which were ordered from Nuremberg. Sibylla Augusta was most likely influenced by the 'Trianon de Porcelaine' building that existed at the Palace of Versailles at the time.

We could also see the beautiful tiles on several of the castle's fine tiled stoves.

The kitchen was also exciting to look into. Here the servants worked to prepare meals for the castle's owners.

The different rooms of the castle, which have names like 'Flower Room', 'Lace Room' and 'Hall of Mirrors', are all wonderfully decorated. You can stand and look for a long time and find new fascinating details all the time. There is not a single millimetre that is not decorated.

The palace also houses a large collection of Chinese porcelain and black lacquer products and other Chinese artefacts. The castle is the oldest of the German so-called "porcelain palaces", and the only one that survived intact until today. All in all, it is very interesting to make a visit here!

Where can you stay or park your motorhome?

There are hotels both in Förch, where the castle is located, and in the centre of Rastatt. If you, like us, are travelling by motorhome, you can stop at "Familienbad Alohra" in the centre of Rastatt. There used to be a real caravan park here with electricity and other services. When we were here, the car park was closed, which was probably because the bathhouse was closed for a long time. However, it was possible to park overnight.

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

When you visit the Favorite Castle in Rastatt, you'll want to visit the Rastatt Castlewhich was the main residence of the Margravine Sibylla Augusta. This castle is also fantastic! Don't miss to see the city Baden-Baden, which has a lot to offer.

Have you visited the Favorite castle in Rastatt?

Have you visited the Favorite castle in Rastatt? Do you like to visit castles?

Facts about Favorite Castle in Rastatt

Address: Am Schloss Favorite 1, Rastatt
Municipality: Rastatt
Federal Republic of Germany: Baden-Württemberg
Country: Germany
Location: The castle is located in Förch, just southeast of the centre of Rastatt.
Year of construction: 1710-1720
Developer: Margravine Sibylla Augusta of Baden
Architect: Johann Michael Ludwig Rohrer
Read more: You can find more information at the castle's website.

Services and practical information

Opening hours: In high season the castle is open Tuesday-Sunday 10-17. In low season the castle is open Thursday-Sunday 10-16.
Price: Guided tours of the castle cost €9 for adults and €4.50 for those entitled to a reduced price. Ask for a combination ticket if you plan to visit other castles in the neighbourhood.
Accessibility: People with reduced mobility can be offered a free tour of the lower floor. The castle has two spiral staircases, each with 22 steps. Some doors are narrow. If you use a walking stick, it must be equipped with a rubber foot. If the cane does not meet the requirements, a cane can be borrowed free of charge. There are folding chairs on the upper floors, which can be used during the tours.