Schloss Hohenheim

Schloss Hohenheim stands in Stuttgart’s Hohenheim district, a former ducal residence turned university estate. The original castle dates from the 12th century and passed through several owners before Duke Charles Eugene acquired it in 1768. He transformed it into a grand Rococo manor with lavish gardens and a residential palace for his wife, Franziska von Hohenheim. The estate served as the main ducal residence from 1772 to 1797, after which it fell into decline. Later, it became home to an agricultural institution and remains tied to the University of Hohenheim. The estate’s history includes royal figures such as King Wilhelm I of Württemberg, who founded an agricultural school here in 1818. The gardens once featured Roman god pillars and a playhouse now used as a museum. During World War II, part of the castle was destroyed, but restoration in the 1970s and 1990s brought back its Rococo plasterwork. The estate also witnessed the deaths of two dukes, Charles Eugene and Frederick II Eugene, in the late 18th century. Visitors today find a mix of university buildings and preserved historic structures. The Kavaliersbau houses a restaurant, while the gardens retain their 18th-century layout with exotic plants. The playhouse museum and the restored Rococo interiors offer glimpses into the estate’s grand past. The surrounding grounds remain a working part of the university, blending education with heritage.