SouthWest Germany's State Palaces and Gardens: 60 hidden treasures
SouthWest Germany is dotted with romantic palaces and castles, grand gardens – and unexpected hidden treasure. Take Maulbronn Monastery, one of 60 properties run by the State Palaces and Gardens of Baden-Württemberg. Named as UNESCO's 2019 Monastery of the Year, the medieval abbey also has surprising foodie connections. And 12th-century Weikersheim Castle's big draw is the garden, with its unusual inhabitants! One of Europe's finest Baroque palaces is Ludwigsburg, with its five fascinating museums. Best tip? The Schlosscard, which offers entry to 24 of the properties for just €24/£20 for adults (€12/£10 concessions). www.schloesser-und-gaerten.de/en

Ludwigsburg Palace: Five fascinating museums
Only 10 miles from Stuttgart, Ludwigsburg Palace is both beautiful and enormous, with five museums. The Ceramics Museum has an impressive collection of 18th- and 19th-century porcelain figurines. Youngsters love the Fashion Museum's clothing (and underwear) dating from the 18th -20th centuries. For 17th and 18th-century paintings, head for the Baroque Gallery. The Theatre Museum tells the story of the palace's 1750 theatre; the Lapidarium displays carved sandstone figures of gods and mythical creatures from the 300-year-old Baroque building. www.schloss-ludwigsburg.de/en

Maulbronn Monastery: Food for thought     
Maulbronn's architectural highlight is the carved, 800-year-old Paradise church entrance. But locals prefer the story of Maultaschen. This ravioli-like dish was created here 500 years ago, during Lent, a meat-less time for monks. But one Brother Jakob found some meat, chopped it up, added spinach and popped the mixture into a 'pasta dough pocket', to hide the forbidden treat from God. Well, that's the legend …and Maultaschen has been a SouthWest Germany favourite ever since! 25 miles from Stuttgart. www.kloster-maulbronn.de/en

Weikersheim Palace: The ultimate garden gnomes
In the beautiful Tauber valley, 80 miles from Stuttgart, is Weikersheim Palace. This Renaissance estate has an orangery, palm trees, flowers and very special guardians: 16 stone dwarfs or gnomes that date back 300 years. Some say that these witty sculptures are caricatures of members of the royal household; others insist that they are court jesters. Either way, they stand on a long balustrade, waiting for selfies: possibly the world's poshest garden gnomes! www.schloss-weikersheim.de/en

For further information about the State Palaces and Gardens, go to www.schloesser-und-gaerten.de/en

Press Contact:

Stephan Hock
Staatliche Schlösser und Gärten Baden-Württemberg
Schlossraum 22 a
76646 Bruchsal
Tel:  +49(0)72 51.74 -2766
Fax:+49(0)72 51.74 -2711
stephan.hock@ssg.bwl.de