Ludwigsburg

Wednesday we went to Ludwigsburg Palace and went on the English tour.  Afterwards we had lunch (donner wraps) and Spaghetti Ice (Spaghetti Ice is a concoction with a whipped cream base, vanilla ice cream pressed out into spaghetti strands, with strawberry sauce and white chocolate flakes.  VERY DELICIOUS!  Especially made with smooth, creamy Italian ice cream).

Some interesting facts: The palace was built starting in 1718 as a home for Duke Ludwig's mistress, but he moved into the palace with her, leaving his wife in the old palace.

After late 1800s it wasn't lived in, that's why so much of it is still intact and in good shape.  Of course the big cammoflague nets they covered the palace with during WWII didn't hurt, either.

The last resident, a queen, lived there after her husband died and her son moved elsewhere.  Paralyzed after a horse accident, she was housebound (or palace bound) for the next 11 years until she died.  All the furniture in one of the rooms are elaborately embroidered - some of her work during the last years of her life.

There aren't hallways, the rooms all go from one to the next.

It has Baroque, Rococo, Classicism and Empire styles throughout.

This horse is outside in the main courtyard of the Palace.

Andrew, Shelly & Jess in the courtyard at Ludwigsburg Palace.

Some of the rooms inside the palace.

Watching the magic happen as they plant the gardens outside (view through the window).

Andrew & Jess eating Spaghetti Ice.