For 14 years, Count Gustav Adolf von Gotter called Molsdorf Palace his home. He had transformed a former moated palace into a picturesquely situated Baroque pleasure palace. However, the extravagant lifestyle of this diplomatic climber ultimately shattered the dream, and Gotter was compelled to sell the property. Visitors can explore the museum housed within the palace, including its historical rooms and special exhibitions, as part of a guided tour. The symmetrical Baroque garden from Gotter’s era was later converted into a landscape park. Some original sculptures remain intact.
Located about ten kilometres southwest of Erfurt, Molsdorf Palace is a distinctive gem among Thuringia’s palaces, largely due to its illustrious builder. Gustav Adolf von Gotter (1692–1762) led a remarkable career. Born in Gotha to a middle-class family, he entered the service of Duke Friedrich II of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, later becoming an envoy in Vienna, a court councillor, and a privy councillor. In 1724, the Emperor elevated him to nobility, naming him Baron and Imperial Count. Ten years later, Count Gotter capped his rise by purchasing Molsdorf Palace, transforming the former moated palace into a Baroque pleasure retreat. Thanks to his connections with leading European courts, he enlisted renowned artists for the project, including the Weimar court architect Gottfried Heinrich Krohne and the stucco artist Johann Baptist Pedrozzi.
“Long Live Joy”
Count Gotter adorned the lavish banqueting hall on the upper floor with oak panelling and 33 paintings. These portray two of his benefactors: Friedrich der Grosse (Frederick the Great) and Prince Eugen of Savoy, among others. The hall prominently features the motto “Vive la joie” (“Long live joy”), the creed of the Hermit Order of Joyous Recluses, of which Gotter was a member. In addition to being a shrewd and highly decorated diplomat, Gotter was a bon vivant known for his opulent lifestyle. His banquets became legendary – reportedly featuring curious offerings such as bowls filled with rings, chains, and watches, from which guests could select a keepsake. The splendid marble hall served as a reception space and introduced guests to his parade apartments. A painting in the hall depicts the count in hunting attire. After 14 years, he was forced to sell the estate, which then passed into the hands of Duke Friedrich III of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg. The palace was converted into a chamber estate, and its moat was filled in. The Palace’s elegant marble bath, dating from 1910, remains one of the few surviving private luxury baths from the early 20th century. Commissioned by Countess von Gneisenau, it was crafted using green-veined marble.
The Park – Curves over Geometry
Molsdorf Palace is surrounded by an eight-hectare landscaped park. Originally laid out in strict Baroque geometry and adorned with numerous sculptures, the grounds were redesigned between 1822 and 1826 by Gotha court gardener Johann Rudolph Eyserbeck. While preserving the garden’s main axis, he introduced meandering paths, an irregularly shaped pond, and removed most of the sculptures, some of which are now displayed in the lapidarium, a collection of works in stone. In place of the original parterre beds, a large lawn with flowerbeds was created as a pleasure ground in front of the palace.
Friedenstein Palace is one of Thuringia’s most significant palace complexes in terms of art and cultural history. Following the founding of the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha in 1640, it was built between 1643 and 1656 under Duke Ernst I of Saxe-Gotha, known as ‘the Pious’. The simple three-winged complex of Friedenstein Palace, visible from afar, has been repeatedly remodelled and refurnished. It houses works of interior art ranging from the Baroque to Historicism.
A sprawling park extends to the east, south and west of the palace. The two main areas of the grounds, the Orangery Garden and the English Garden, date back to the 18th century.
The palace is home to the Friedenstein Palace Foundation in Gotha, which comprises the Palace Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Historical Museum and the Ekhof Theatre, as well as the Gotha Research Library.
Listen to the Garden – An audio guide by children, for children
Children see things differently – including the Ducal Park in Gotha. Now you can learn about the garden from their perspective. As part of the ‘Listen to the Garden’ project, a group of pupils from the Arnoldischule Gotha are creating an audio guide for children. The Thuringian Castles and Gardens Foundation’s sponsors and project partners are the Sparkassen Cultural Foundation of Hesse-Thuringia and the Thuringian State Media Authority. The audio guide presents the plants – both large and small – as well as the stories and special features of the Ducal Park and the Ducal Orangery in a child-friendly way.
With the support of their partners, the pupils planned and carried out the production process. From choosing the topics and writing the text, through developing the concept, to recording the audio tracks and sound effects, the pupils took the lead and were in charge.
The ‘Hör mal’ project is a collaboration between museums in Thuringia, schools, the Sparkassen Cultural Foundation of Hesse-Thuringia and the Thuringian State Media Authority (TLM). In many towns and cities across Thuringia, children and young people are producing audio guides for children at a museum in their local area. The aim is to explore topics covered in class in greater depth and to consolidate the knowledge the pupils have acquired.
The school’s role as a place of learning is being expanded, and the museum is being established as a venue for imparting knowledge. This project serves to strengthen the pupils’ connection to their local community.
Recommended reading on Friedenstein Castle and Park
