Versailles, the magnificent palace of "Sun King" Louis XIV, was the model that many 17th and 18th century European rulers sought to emulate. This grand "théâtre du monde", an embodiment of the centralist principle, reflected godlike powers and splendours. Art and, above all, architecture had an important political role to play: they became visual expressions of ideological ideas, designed to impress the people. The desire to imitate Versailles was so strong that French was spoken at the courts of Europe.

Very few European regents were able to realise their absolutist dreams in as literal, grandiose way as the rulers of Ludwigsburg. From 1704 onwards Duke Eberhard Ludwig turned his modest hunting lodge into a spacious, three-winged palace. It acquired a fourth wing between 1724 and 1733, the final mark of prestige which made it one of the largest baroque palaces in Europe – and the largest in Germany. Inside the palace, suites of luxurious banqueting halls and apartments clearly reflect the style and taste of three different eras. These escaped wartime damage and are preserved in their original state. Parts of the original baroque gardens were transformed into an English landscaped garden – the combination of strict symmetry and lavish floral planting is still very striking today. In a slightly raised position on the edge of the gardens is "Favorite" Hunting Lodge.
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This magnificent palace and hunting lodge in Stuttgart was built under Carl Eugen of Württemberg from 1763. It is one of the outstanding architectural ensembles of the 18th century. The annexe buildings contain the state reception rooms, the white hall and the music and assembly room in the late-rococo style. A military academy, later the elite Carl's School, was established here by Duke Carl Eugen. Its most famous pupil was the playwright Friedrich Schiller.
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The palace in Bad Arolsen in north Hessen was built between 1713 and 1728 under Imperial Prince Friedrich Anton Ulrich of Waldeck. The wonderful ceiling paintings by Carlo Ludovici Castelli of Italy are particularly impressive. The palace has a fabulous art collection including masterpieces by the Tischbeins, Aldegrever, Meytens and Querfurt.
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The prince bishops' New Palace stands on Bamberg's cathedral square in the heart of Upper Franconia. Two of the wings were built by Johann Leonhard Dientzenhofer between 1697 and 1703. The highlights include the magnificent electoral apartments with stucco ceilings and tapestries, the picture gallery with old German and baroque masterpieces and the imperial hall with 16 larger-than-life emperor portraits.
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