Schloss Benrath is an 18th-century palace in the Benrath district, about 12 km south of Düsseldorf's centre and reachable by S-Bahn or tram. Built as a summer residence for Elector Palatine Charles Theodor, its pink façade sits symmetrically around a large pond. Three museums are housed in the palace, and the gardens and park are free to walk. Allow a few hours to see the palace and the grounds, from the formal French beds to the shaded woodland paths.
Who built it and why
Schloss Benrath was built between 1755 and 1770 for Elector Palatine Charles Theodor and his wife, Countess Palatine Elisabeth Auguste of Sulzbach. It was meant as a summer residence, a maison de plaisance or pleasure palace, and it stands in what is now the Benrath district of Düsseldorf.
The court architect Nicolas de Pigage planned the palace together with its gardens. Each part of the household had its own outlook: the Elector's room opened onto the English garden, the Electress's apartments faced the French formal garden, and the kitchens drew on herb and potager gardens.
A private foundation named after the palace and park was set up in Düsseldorf in March 2000.
Inside the palace
From the outside the palace is modest, while the interior is more richly decorated. It houses three museums: the Museum Corps de Logis, the Museum of European Garden Art, and the Museum of Natural History. The collections include 18th-century sculptures, paintings and other objects.
The rooms are largely bare, with little furniture, so the architecture and the decoration carry most of the visit.
The Corps de Logis hosts regular concerts called Wandelkonzerte, which let you hear music from the period in which the palace was built. If you want to attend, check the schedule before you go.
The gardens and park
The park is the largest part of a visit. It combines a French formal garden with an English garden, flower beds, herb gardens, ponds and fountains, and broad walks shaded by tall trees. The wilder areas have woodland paths, and a playground makes the grounds easy to enjoy with children.
The park is also a nature area. Its planting supports more than 60 tree species, over 80 bird species and over 300 beetle species.
The site is both a listed monument and a nature reserve, so the grounds are protected as well as open to walkers.
Planning a visit
Allow two to three hours for the palace and the grounds. Going through the main house and the side wings can take about an hour each, and a loop of the gardens fills the rest of the time.
S-Bahn and tram services reach the area. Cards are accepted for payment. Free and paid parking lots are both available, and the underground Schloss Garage is about five minutes on foot from the castle.
Buy palace tickets ahead at the souvenir shop nearby. The café on site offers good views over the grounds.
Preguntas frecuentes
Is there an entry fee?
The gardens and park are free to walk. The palace museums charge entry, and one visitor reported a palace price of 17 euros. Check the official website for current prices.
How long do you need?
Plan two to three hours to see the palace and the grounds. The main house and the side wings each take about an hour.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Advance tickets are recommended. Buy them at the souvenir shop nearby before going to the entrance, which can be hard to find.
How do I get there?
The palace is about 12 km south of the city centre. S-Bahn and tram services reach the Benrath area, and there are free and paid parking lots.
