A highlight of the ducal residence at Ludwigsburg is the palace the atre. It was constructed from 1758 onward by Philippe de la Guêpière for Duke Carl Eugen. In 1812, King Friedrich I of Wurttemberg had the auditorium remodelled in Classicist style by Friedrich von Thouret. The theatre was used until 1853, then deserted for 100 years. And so the auditorium, the stage and the complete stage machinery as well as painted front curtains and stage decorations from the 18th and early 19th century survived – the only ones in Germany and a rare collection in Europe. A permanent exhibition tells the story of the palace theatre. And music lovers meet for the Ludwigsburg palace festival from June to August (www.schlossfestspiele.de).