Was it truly meant to look like a ruin? Here we are at the Felseneck. This charming pavilion has a history that might surprise you.
The Felseneck wasn’t always meant to be a ruin. It was designed by Heinrich Christoph Jussow. Construction took place from March to October 1794. It sits just below the Great Cascade.
Originally called “Retraite”, it was renamed Felseneck around 1800. This location offered strategic views. One could see both the Schloss and the Löwenburg from here. It was slightly off the Hercules’ axis.
Jussow’s drawings from 1793/1794 depict an octagonal garden pavilion. It rests on a five-tiered base. Blind arcades adorn the exterior walls. These are decorated in a keystone technique. Eight unadorned Tuscan three-quarter columns support the arcades. The arcades alternate between arched windows with balustrades and closed niches.
The original design included an elaborate balustrade. It topped the cornice. This gave the Felseneck the appearance of a ruin. Early depictions, however, show a simpler railing. It featured round openings and lacked the ruined look.
Inside, the Felseneck was divided. A vestibule led to a wardrobe and a cabinet. This suggests a private retreat. It was a personal hermitage for Wilhelm IX.
But the story of the Felseneck doesn’t end there. In 1872/73, renovations changed its character. The original, fragile roof railing was removed. A flat zinc roof replaced the leaky one. The interior walls also vanished. Windows and doors, often vandalized, were removed. The goal was to create a public resting pavilion.
The Felseneck that we see today is largely the result of these 19th-century changes. Paetow once attributed the design to Simon Louis de Ry. But it was Jussow who conceived the original structure.
Imagine Wilhelm IX using this as his private space. He could escape the pressures of court. He could enjoy the views. Now think about how it changed. It became a space for everyone. A place to rest and reflect.
So, as you stand here at the Felseneck consider its transformations. It evolved from a private escape to a public space. Its story is a testament to changing times and tastes. It is a reminder that even stone structures can adapt and reinvent themselves.