SCHLOSS MANNHEIM

E castle Mannheim is the former residence of the palatine Prince- Electors. It is located in Mannheim, in the Land of Baden-Württemberg.
The Electors Philippe Charles III and Charles IV Theodore stayed here most of the year, except for a few months that it usually spent in their summer residence for Schwetzingen.
It is one of the more grands castles baroque-style ever built either the second (after Versailles, given the entity of the building), or the third (after Versailles and Nymphenburg, if you look just the length of the wings). This physical size is unfortunately not equalized by its artistic value, makes it already contemporary were not long in noticing (its plan was highly criticized rightly by Balthasar Neumann; this judgement was reaffirmed later on by Robert de Cotte).
The castle loses its role definitively when, in 1777, the courtyard settles in Munich. At the xixe century, it is Stéphanie de Beauharnais, large duchess dowager baden (1789-1860) that lives. At the beginning of the 20th century, the castle is used as a museum. Destroyed at the end of the Second World War, it escapes from precision from the entire suppression. It is rebuilt in a simplified, and it became the seat of the university.
While the city prepares to mark its 400 years of existence in 2007, major work rehabilitation are undertaken. The castle finds its original colour, the courtyard is paved and the old roofs are rebuilt. A museum dedicated to the history is set in the main building.