Pagodenburg

Rastatt, Germany, Germany

---

The Pagodenburg is a charming garden pavilion (Gartenschlösschen) in Rastatt, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, built in 1722 by court architect Johann Michael Ludwig Rohrer for Margravine Franziska Sibylla Augusta of Baden-Baden on the high terrace of the Murg river, surrounded by a beautiful park at the foot of Rastatt's prominent water tower.

The pavilion was modeled after a baroque pavilion in the Nymphenburg Palace garden in Munich that the Margravine admired during a visit to Elector Max Emanuel, and at 12 meters in diameter it closely follows the dimensions of the Munich original, though with a Mansard roof instead of a flat roof.

Originally serving as a tea house and "playhouse" for the Margravine's children, the markgräflichen Söhne Ludwig Georg and August Georg, it was integrated into the pleasure and utility garden where the Margravine hosted garden parties for friends and guests who were served hot chocolate, a rare and precious beverage at the time.

The building was restored in 1911 when it was in poor condition, and since 1976 the city of Rastatt has provided it to the Rastatt Art Association as an exhibition building for local artists, with exhibitions by national and international artists held there during the summer months.