“Did you know this charming little building was once a fashionable retreat?” I ask. Welcome to the Teehaus Tempel der Pomona. This isn’t just any teahouse. It’s a historical treasure nestled in the Bad Homburg Palace Park.
Landgravine Caroline of Hesse-Homburg had it built in 1772. She wanted to create a fanciful landscape garden. The Teehaus was part of that vision a testament to the era’s love for Chinoiserie. Its design echoed Chinese pagodas. Her husband Landgrave Frederick V named it the Temple of Pomona. Pomona is the Roman goddess of fruit trees. The name was a nod to the nearby royal orchard.
The Temple of Pomona has seen many changes. It underwent several renovations and repairs. In 2020 it was meticulously reconstructed. The restoration was based on the oldest surviving views from the 1870s. Inside you’ll find an exhibition showcasing fruit culture. It displays historical and modern apple and pear varieties. Imagine hundreds of years of fruit growing history encapsulated in this tiny space.
More than 150 exhibits are displayed within the small structure. Just imagine 200 different apple and pear varieties were once grown in the palace gardens. Old inventories detail them. Names like Golden Winter Pearmain Kasseler Renette and Morgenduft or Morning Scent paint a vivid picture. Now compare this wealth of options to the limited selection on modern supermarket shelves.
The Temple of Pomona wasn’t always so pristine. Sadly it suffered from vandalism and decay over the years. This charming retreat served as a romantic getaway for Bad Homburg residents. The recent restoration funded in part by generous donations has secured its future. Today visitors can once again appreciate its beauty and historical significance. Now you can explore this remarkable piece of history. A small building with a big story to tell.