Many generations of rulers have left their mark on Schwetzingen Palace. They added to existing structures and rebuilt what was destroyed, but with renovations they also blurred many an important inheritance of their predecessors.
From 1975 to 1991 the old Main Building of the palace, the "Corps de Logis", was subjected to a thorough restoration. 1775 was chosen as the historical reference point, as the height of Schwetzingen's glory falls around this time. In order to now correctly reconstruct the furnishings of that time in detail, the inventories (using lists) present in 1775 were studied. As a result, it was possible to duplicate both the wall coverings and the furnishings.
First the original colors and wallpapers were restored in each room. Protracted research followed the trail of the original furniture. Pieces which had meanwhile been destroyed were replaced with suitable originals from the same period or reproductions.
Today not only state-rooms are reborn before the eyes of the visitor in this way. Simple types of rooms, e.g. the Pudercammer (Powder Room), also provide an insight into the everyday world of the Court in the 18th century. For the new fashion of up to 30 inch high white wigs, technical possibilities for even powdering had to be created. The Electress sat under a linen coat which covered everything and protected her face with a silk mask. The powder was then blown against the ceiling in the narrow, low room and then settled evenly on the curls.
The restoration and maintenance of the Schwetzingen Palace gardens represents an enormous task.
A constant challenge is presented by the maintenance of the historical gardens. Its most important parts, the plants, continuously change their appearance. For this maintenance the involved landscape architects and historians must grapple with the concepts of the theorists for garden architecture in the 18th century. What shape and what size should a tree be? What does a hedge in the palace gardens look like? How close together are trees for an avenue planted?
In some cases unpopular decisions have to be made, for example when magnificent old trees are cut down because they are too large for the scale of a baroque garden.
With rolling templates, plumb bob and shears the Schwetzingen Palace gardeners preserve the unmistakable appearance of this work of garden art.
Over the past several years the precious and unusual structures of the gardens have mostly been reconstructed. The best-known examples of this are the Mosque, which is now reflected in its old splendor in the lake after many years of restoration.
Another object of this restoration work was the "Badhaus" (Bath House) of Elector Carl Theodor. In 1770 it was built for him through Nicolas de Pigage. The luxuriously appointed rooms which accompany the grotto-like bath have now been refurnished.