The Castle Augustusburg in Brühl

When a trip to Europe is a week or less, you really can't waste the first day adjusting to the time difference. It is best to re-set your watch and start seeing the sights. That's why I had plans for my Mom, sister, and niece on their first day here in Germany.

After picking them up from the airport on Sunday we had a brief pit stop at my apartment. (Sleeping may not have been on the agenda, but showering certainly was.) Then it was off to the Castle Augustusburg.
One of the most famous castles in the Bonn/Cologne area and a UNISCO World Heritage site, I had never been there before. Having visitors was the perfect excuse to get there before leaving Germany.

The castle was build from 1725 to 1768 for Clemens August, an elector and archbishop of Cologne. Using the best Rocco architects of the time, it is modeled after Versailles and was intended at a country retreat. Surrounding the castle are elaborate gardens, which are the site of outdoor concerts in the warm weather. Entry to the gardens is free.
The interior can only be visited with a guided tour and costs 5 Euros per person. If you call ahead arrangements can be made for a tour in English. Too bad I didn't know this and we had to take the tour in German. An English guidebook was given to us at the front desk. Many of the rooms are written about and we were able to follow along with the tour.

The castle incorporates just about every architectural and decorative element of the baroque era. That means a lot of glitz and glamour. I especially liked the leather wallpaper with gold leaf appliqué.

The most famous feature of the castle is the ceremonial staircase designed by architect Balthasar Neumann. The space was used a receiving hall and incorporating sculptures and lots of faux marble — which wasn't used because it was less expensive, but rather because it allowed the designers to get the exact colors they wanted. Crowning the space is a fresco ceiling by Carlo Carlone.

Schloss Augustusburg in Brühl
Schlossstrasse 6
50319 Brühl

• Open: Tuesday through Friday 09:00 AM – 12:30 PM (admission until 12:00 PM) and 1:30 – 5:00 PM (admission until 4:30 PM); Saturday, Sunday, and holidays 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (admission until 5:00 PM)
• Telephone: +49 (0)22 32 / 440 00 or 944 31 17
• E-mail: info(at)schlossbruehl.de