Ludwigslust

Ludwigslust combines Baroque urban planning with nature and cultural themes. Ludwigslust Palace, the former residence, forms the centrepiece of the late Baroque town layout; the palace gardens, art in the palace and town church, as well as natural history and crafts, complete the picture.

Palace gardens and Baroque layout

The palace gardens cover about 120 ha. Meadows, bodies of water, old and rare trees, and ornamental shrubs accompany the extensive walking paths. The gardens were laid out from 1731 to 1735. Their size and varied landscape features give a visit a different focus from the art and history themes in the palace and town church.

The water supply is also part of the history of the grounds: a 28 km-long canal supplies water to the fountains and cascades in front of the palace. It was built from 1756 to 1760, later than the gardens were laid out. The two time periods make the grounds and their technical addition apparent as separate construction phases.

Palace, cascades, and town church

The cascades on the palace square were created from 1780 to 1785 in sandstone, based on designs by Bohemian sculptor Rudolf Kaplunger. A sightline runs from the cascades across the palace to the town church. Together with the former residence as the centrepiece of the late Baroque town layout, this offers a clear view of Ludwigslust’s spatial arrangement.

The town church houses the approximately 350 m² altarpiece “Annunciation to the Shepherds,” considered Europe’s largest altarpiece. The museum in Ludwigslust Palace features rooms displaying 18th-century art. This brings two distinct art themes together: the altarpiece in the town church and the art in the palace museum. If you would like to plan your stay around cultural history, you can include these highlights in your itinerary.

Natural history and seasonal visit planning

Natureum Ludwigslust borders the “Schlosspark Ludwigslust” FFH site directly. It is the only natural history museum in West Mecklenburg and is run on a voluntary basis by an association. Events for adults and children teach visitors more about local nature. Natural history and the events programme thus complement the themes surrounding the palace and town layout.

Seasonal opening information is important when planning a visit: during the season from April to October, Natureum aims to provide volunteer-staffed opening hours from 10 am to 3 pm on weekends and public holidays. It is recommended that you contact the museum in advance for a specific visit date.

Crafts, guided tours, and brewing culture

At the papier-mâché workshop in Palais Bülow, visitors can learn more about the tradition of this craft and try making souvenirs themselves. Tours of aristocratic domestic life in Ludwigslust are also available at the palace by prior arrangement. Trying your hand at the workshop and booking a guided tour offer two different ways to experience the crafts and domestic culture.

Another highlight is the Ludwigslust brewery. It produces craft-brewed beer specialities and offers tours and beer tastings by appointment. If you would like to include these activities in your stay, please note that tours and tastings require an appointment.

A day trip for experienced cyclists

The Raseneisenstein-Dörfer Tour is a day trip for experienced cyclists that combines cultural and nature experiences. For example, it runs from Ludwigslust or Redefin through the heart of the Griese Gegend bog ironstone cultural landscape. Alongside walks in the palace gardens and cultural activities, this offers a dedicated cycling route as another possible focus for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Amt Dömitz-Malliß, Amt Eldenburg Lübz, Lübtheen, Hagenow, Amt Crivitz, Amt Plau Am See, Boizenburg/Elbe, Amt Banzkow.

Go to the main travel overview: Ludwigslust-Parchim.