II. - Schloss Schwetzingen

The Development of a Baroque Summer
Residence after 1700
In the course of the 18th century, the Schwetzingen
palace underwent a complete conversion.
In keeping with the Electors’ Absolutist
self-image, the palace was not merely rebuilt
after the war; it was enlarged beyond recogni-
tion. Lack of space forbids us to discuss the
major extensions of the original core building
– the wings enclosing the court of honour,
the quarter-circle pavilions, the theatre and
the kitchens (but see the ground plans and
plan of dendrochronological fi ndings in Vol.
2, Images). It is remarkable that the centuries-old
existing buildings were respected,
instead of being pulled down and replaced
with an entirely new palace, something that
was common elsewhere. The old castle was
converted and expanded into a Baroque
III. Schwetzingen – Historical Context
complex. Johann Wilhelm’s fi rst large project
was the building of the two “court of honour”
wings in 1711/12 (cp. Fig. 17; Findings 19,
20). They were symmetrical structures built
onto the north and south ends of the main
(east) front, creating a spacious open square. A
balustrade and gate separate it from the town.
The entrance is marked by two symmetrical
guardhouses.
This extension was the fi rst step towards the
18th-century summer residence. Even the top
fl oors and roofs of the two eastern towers
were rebuilt to achieve a more symmetrical
appearance.
The new west wing was built directly onto
the diagonal west wall of the old building.
The new garden front, fl anked by two massive
towers at the corners, now ran parallel to the
main front (this was the main result of the
III.
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