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InRenaissance and Early ModernGerman architecture, aLustschloss (French:maison de plaisance, both meaning "pleasure palace") is a country house, château, or palace which served the private pleasure of its owner, and was seasonally inhabited as a respite from court ceremonies and state duties.[1][2] In France, theChâteau de Madrid in theBois de Boulogne, easily reached from Paris, arguably set an example, and Louis XIV similarly holidayed annually from thePalace of Versailles to his nearbyChâteau de Marly, and more frequently used hisGrand Trianon, to which thePetit Trianon was added in the following century.
There is no common term for such houses in English, and the phenomenon developed especially in the smaller states of Germany, where the ruler was firmly based in one or two main palaces, as opposed to the much larger number available to the monarchies of England, France, and Spain (afterHenry VIII's prolific building,Elizabeth I of England had some 40 palaces, most now demolished). ButWoodstock Palace seems to have had something of this role; the last monarch to use it wasJames I of England, in 1603, escaping theplague, which was another useful role these houses played. In France, it was mainly after the monarchy settled at Versailles that the need for them developed. In Italy the termvilla covered them.
Lustschloss is often loosely used interchangeably withJagdschloss, for both served as non-formal residences, but aJagdschloss was a hunting retreat and was usually used to host a ruler and his hunting party.
At the beginning of theRenaissance, a desire for non-military residences arose amongst thenobility and they slowly left their old fortified castles or altered them into stately residences. In the course of the years, many aristocratic family seats grew into big estates; at the same time, the court ceremonial changed. Now, theprince stood more and more in the centre of a luxurious royal household that reached its zenith during theabsolutism. The nobility surrounded themselves with artists, courtiers, envoys, servants and petitioners. Often the residences overflowed with guests.
The desire for greater intimacy led to the construction of theLustschloss, to which often only certain circles of acquaintances were invited. Here its owners could withdraw with their family and relatives. TheLustschloss was above all a place for parties, dancing and music. It was also frequently used for literature and painting. This distinguished it from the main residence, which was often nearby. The latter served the state, in which etiquette had to be protected.
The most popular architectural styles for these particular castles wereBaroque andRococo, which both displayed a sense of wealth. TheLustschloss was often located in a splendid castle park, mostly distinguished by especially extensive and valuable decorations. At the same time the rooms and drawing rooms became more intimate and more comfortable. Significant artists from their respective region would work on many of their paintings in the castle. Famous examples are theGrand Trianon and thePetit Trianon in the gardens ofVersailles, theChâteau de Marly, and theAmalienburg in theSchlosspark ofNymphenburg.
The nameLustschloss was often used interchangeably with the wordSchloss, which is the general term for a palace, stately home or manor house. The purpose of aLustschloss also changed – some were redeveloped over the years and were turned into palaces that took over representative tasks. An example of this isSanssouci, which was originally established as a summer house, but over a period of time became the main residence ofFrederick the Great ofPrussia.
Some famous German examples of aLustschloss areSchloss Benrath inDüsseldorf andSchloss Favorite inLudwigsburg. TheFavorite pleasure palace inMainz was destroyed during thesiege of Mainz (1793).
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