85 Mercury Temple/Park Grounds of Friedenstein Castle in Gotha
85 Mercury Temple/Park Grounds of Friedenstein Castle in Gotha
Foundation of Thuringian Castles and Gardens Photo: Helmut Wiegel
In the middle of Gotha, surrounding Friedenstein Castle (Model 76), extend vast park grounds that offer relaxation.
Among them is the English Garden.
Duke Ernst II of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg had one of the earliest English landscape gardens in Europe created in Gotha.
The English gardener John Haverfield designed a naturalistic park, whose fundamental elements – park pond, Mercury Temple, and „Holy Island“ – have been preserved to this day.
This English landscape garden, over 240 years old, is a unique gem among European park landscapes.
On a small hill near the shore of the large park pond stands the Mercury Temple.
It is simply a beautiful sight when the small temple reflects on the surface of the pond.
In 1774, it was built according to the plans of the Saxon architect Carl Christoph Beßer.
Its model was an ancient Greek structure.
Originally intended as a temple for the goddess Diana, it was later dedicated to the god Mercury.
From the Mercury Temple, the view falls upon the „Holy Island“ in the middle of the pond.
Duke Ernst II and other members of the ducal family are buried there.
Further information
Castle Administration Gotha
99867 Gotha
Tel.: 03621 / 82 34 64