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The most important renaissance palace in North Germany,
which surprises with its South European charm, is situated on the edge of Güstrow old town.
Ulrich, Duke of Mecklenburg, caused a lordly residence to be built here from 1558 onwards
to replace a medieval castle. The architect he commissioned, for the impressive south and
west wings, was the Lombard, Franz Parr who had previously worked in Silesia. He succeeded
in creating a synthesis of Italian, French and German architectural styles, which was
unique for the period and the region. At the same time it reflected the sophisticated and
political ambitions of his patron. The south wing only extends as far as an imposing
circular stair tower, presumably on the grounds of cost, the plainer north and east
portions were completed in 1598 by Philipp Brandin and his pupil Claus Midow, from the
Netherlands.
Magnificent parts of the original building survive, which are amongst the most remarkable
in North Germany. The curious banqueting hall ceiling is particularly opulent mainly with
hunting scenes after Dutch engravings. They were commissioned in 1620 by Duke Johann
Albrecht II from the stucco master Daniel Anckermann. Earlier in 1570 Christoph Parr
had already created a game decoration with the lively red deer frieze below this; a
prototype which found imitators all over Europe. During the Thirty Years War the ducal
residence was a focus of European history for a short time as the opulently furnished court
of Wallenstein. Gustav Adolph, the last duke of Güstrow, entrusted the Huguenot Charle
Philipp Dieussart with the modernisation of his residence. The main witnesses of this era
are the baroque classic gate house and the palace bridge, equipped as an orangerie. Reduced
in substance the former ducal residence served as Mecklenbergs workhouse from 1817 to
1945. After complete restoration from the years 1963 to 1978 the majority of the
representative rooms regained their historical splendour.
Since 1972 Güstrow palace has exhibited a large proportion of the art collection of the
State Museum Schwerin. The atmospheric vault of the lower storey houses an important
medieval department with outstanding individual pieces. The ducal collection of
hunting and ceremonial weapons emphasises the prestige attached to feudal hunting pursuits.
The glitter and international flair of the former ducal seat is recreated with costly
baroque and renaissance paintings, sculptures and furniture in the formal court apartments,
living and reception rooms. The most important pieces include works by Marten de Vos and
Tintoretto. Today, where the duchess used to reside with her attendants, there is a rich
collection of glass and impressive examples of East German painting, including pieces by
Wolfgang Mattheuer and Sighard Gille.
In the Güstrow rooms there is a productive contrast between the historic ambience and an
exquisite collection of Art Nouveau vases and the works of renowned international artists,
such as Günther Uecker and François Morellet, representing modern contemporary positions.
The garden parterre, that has been renovated according to historical prints, invites you to
promenade between fragrant lavender beds, in shady shrubbery walks and by still pools.
There are numerous concerts and special events which climax in the annual Summer dream in
the old palace, a carefree garden party at lavender blossom time, with jugglers, artists
and magical fantastic figures, which always takes place on the third Saturday in July.
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Palace Güstrow
Exhibitionroom
The Christ Child
from Mecheln,
ca. 1500
Photo: H. Maertens
Art Nouveau vases
by Emile Gallé, ca. 1905
Photo: E. Walford
François Morellet
Sphère-Trames
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