Schwetzingen: A Prince Elector's Summer Residence - garden design and Freemasonic allusions

The castle gardens of Schwetzingen are a vivid example of the development of the horticultural art at the turn of the late baroque to classicism and expression of the changing social consciousness at the transition from absolutism to the enlightenment. By the large number of outstanding sculptures and other works of art these gardens are one of the most significant works of horticultural art.

Satements of authenticity and/or integrity

The summer residence of Prince Elector Carl Theodor at Swetzingen has been almost entirely preserved in its original form. In the gardens the entire range of late-eighteen-century buildings and sculptures have been preserved. 

Comparison with other similar properties

There are many respects in which Schwetzingen can be compared to other properties: the architectural unity of town, palace and gardens; the themes pervading the gardens.