"SehensWert"

About this book

"Worth seeing"--that's how Thomas Jefferson characterized the Schloss Benrath in 1788. This book presents articles and an exhibition catalog dealing with the history of the planning and building of two palaces--the Schloss Benrath that exists today, which was built by Elector Carl Theodor between 1755 and 1771, and the old Schloss Benrath, dating to the middle of the 17th century. Documents related to the establishment of the house and park, as well as those related to the opinions of high-profile visitors to the site, shed new light on the history of both buildings. Many of the items presented in this exhibition are published here for the first time. They illustrate the role of the older Schloss Benrath as the most notable stately country home north of the Alps in the 17th century.