Time out for body, mind and soul
Relax, enjoy and discover in Schönbusch Park
A visit to Schönbusch Park is one thing above all: a time-out for body, mind and soul. Stroll around in the shade of the old, gnarled trees or paddle across the lake and let the sun shine on your face. Schönbusch was and is a unique park and is one of the oldest classic English-style landscape gardens in Germany.
Those who simply want to enjoy the peace and quiet outside and breathe in the power of nature will find their place of longing here. Friedrich Karl von Erthal had the court architect Emanuel Joseph von Herigoyen redesign the former deer park in the new English landscape style, based on the ideas of his minister Wilhelm von Sickingen, and added buildings.
Sophisticated garden art
However, the park owes its unique charm to Friedrich Ludwig von Sckell, the most important garden artist of Goethe's time, who was appointed court gardener at Schwetzingen in 1785. He shaped the Schönbusch into one of the earliest classical landscape gardens in Germany with great attention to detail and an innovative style for the time.
At the heart of the park is the neoclassical garden palace, built between 1778 and 1782, and if you look closely, you will also notice the visual corridor that connects the garden palace with Johannisburg City Palace. The park is full of subtleties just waiting to be discovered.
There are also regular guided tours of the castle and grounds. The times vary depending on the time of year and the target group. Simply contact us if you are interested. We will be happy to organize a guided tour for you and/or your group.
You can also take a relaxing walk directly from the Schmerlenbach hotel and conference center: Enjoy our park with labyrinth.