The Wörlitzer Gardens

The fascination with vulcanos was widespread throughout Europe and picked up momentum when the Vesuvius reactivated in December of 1631. (2, taken on 19 May 2017) On the return to his trip to Italy in 1765-66 , which included a stop off in Naples and the hike up the volcano, he had his architect build something that would evoke the special Italian ambiente.

The construction of the miniature Vesuvius ran from 1788 to 1794 and included a network of underground tunnels and caves. Materials such as basalt where used to mimic the rustic nature of the mountain.

The Wörlitzer Park includes one main lake with many islands, numerous canals and other smaller water holes. (3, taken on 5 May 2018) The picture was taken on the Wolfsbridge (Wolfsbrücke) in the direction of the Venus Temple. It was built from 1794 to 1797 and replaced a previous wooden construction from 1774. In the centre stands a cast of the Venus de' Medici, a marble sculpture depicting the Greek goddess of love Aphrodite. The floor of the little temple consists of colored glass panes which let the passing through light illuminate the grotto underneath dedicated to Vulcanus, according to Greek legend, the husband of Venus.

Interestingly enough, the gardens and the palace where open to the public upon their completion, something very uncommon and unheard of at the time, but decidedly progressive.