Duke Carl Eugen von Württemberg had the English garden in Hohenheim, later called the “Dörfle” by Franziska, built for himself and his later wife from 1776-1793. On the replica of ruins from ancient Rome, the duke intended to dramatize the “triumph of virtuous rural life over the debauchery of the fallen Rome” - an idea equally informed by historical and romantic concepts and the intention to make the world a better place.
This plan was implemented so completely with over 60 different pieces of garden architecture, that one could imagine that an ancient city actually sunk into nature in Hohenheim and was re-populated by happy villagers centuries later.
On festival days, the “Dörfle” was transformed into a seemingly functioning village community for the amusement of the lordship, whereby the rural people had to pretend to be farmers, shepherds, school masters, millers, etc. with the participation of the court, also in costume.
After 1797, the complex deteriorated. Some structures were transported to Monrepos and Ludwigsburg. The “Dörfle” transformed into a tree nursery, from which a park-like arboretum, the Exotic Garden, developed. Of the more then 60 attractions in the “Dörfle,” today only three remain, and they are incomplete: The Spielhaus Building, the Roman Tavern, and the three pillars of thundering Jupiter.
Print version of the complete historical tour (German)
Print version of Stop 3 (German)
