Felsengarten Sanspareil

At the sight of the rock garden, a lady-in-waiting is said to have exclaimed in 1746: "Ah, c'est sans pareil" - "That is unequaled!", Whereupon Margrave Friedrich ordered the renaming of the town of Zwernitz in Sanspareil in the same year. And indeed, this name is very appropriate for the rock garden. Individual geometric garden areas were embedded in an almost natural forest environment, which is characterized by bizarre rock formations. On some of the rocks, exotic-looking cottages and rural huts were built, which served as retreats in the "Hermitage Sanspareil". Many of these buildings decayed over time or were sold to demolition in the 19th century.

Today, however, is still the ruin theater - a mixture of grotto and ruin. The auditorium is under a powerful natural rock arch; The orchestra pit, the backdrop arches and the back wall are made of quarry stones. "Behind this miraculous arch, however, you can see the theater emerging from rocks, and embellished and corrected by the hand of art ... The whole makes a powerful and indescribable impression in its position, form and arrangement ..." (From a travelogue of 1812)

Sanspareil ([sɑpaʀɛj], German unparalleled, the locals pronounce the word Sanspareil however German) is a village in the municipality Wonsees (district Kulmbach in Upper Franconia), which was known by the rock garden Sanspareil below the medieval Hohenzollern castle Zwernitz.
The garden was laid out by Markgräfin Wilhelmine von Bayreuth, the sister of Frederick the Great, in 1744. The architects of the rock garden named Joseph Saint-Pierre and Giovanni Battista Pedrozzi. The name of the park goes back to the exclamation of a lady-in-waiting of the Bayreuth Margrave: "C'est sans pareil!" (This is unequaled!). Margravine Wilhelmine also intended to have customary water games built here at that time. However, this was not feasible in view of the situation with funds at that time, so that the entire system could not be expanded further. The interest of the Margravine was therefore significantly reduced. The garden was completed by Margrave Carl Alexander. The rock theater was designed as a Roman ruin, where a natural rock grotto serves as an auditorium.
 
In the following centuries the plant fell into decay. The many buildings disappeared because they were made of wood, especially in the park, or were sold for demolition to make way for a street. At present, only the Oriental building, the rock theater and the kitchen are present. In 1984, the lowered ground floor between the Oriental building and the kitchen was reconstructed after a engraving template from 1748.

Also for wheelchair users marked ways. Very clean area and many benches to rest.

Here the path leads through the rock garden through a narrow area in the rock formation "Split Rock".

The rock garden is a nice experience especially for children. Dogs allowed on a leash. Costs no entry. Refreshments.

Very beautiful rock garden with great rock formations and grottos, the rock theater is particularly worth seeing.

Here the path leads through the rock garden past the "Grotto of Diana". There is also a seating area for a rest or a short break.

Here the path leads through the rock garden past the "volcanic grotto". A somewhat larger grotto in the rock garden is well worth seeing.

The garden was laid out by Markgräfin Wilhelmine von Bayreuth, the sister of Frederick the Great, in 1744. The architects of the rock garden named Joseph Saint-Pierre and Giovanni Battista Pedrozzi. The name of the park goes back to the exclamation of a lady-in-waiting of the Bayreuth margrave: "C'est sans pareil!" (This is unequaled!). Margravine Wilhelmine also intended to have customary water games built here at that time. However, this was not feasible in view of the situation with funds at that time, so that the entire system could not be expanded further. The interest of the Margravine was therefore significantly reduced. The garden was completed by Margrave Carl Alexander. The rock theater was designed as a Roman ruin, where a natural rock grotto serves as an auditorium.
In the following centuries the plant fell into decay. The many buildings disappeared because they were made of wood, especially in the park, or were sold for demolition to make way for a street. At present, only the Oriental building, the rock theater and the kitchen are present. In 1984, the lowered ground floor between the Oriental building and the kitchen was reconstructed after a engraving template from 1748.
Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanspareil
Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felsengarten_Sanspareil

If you are already there, then you should definitely visit the Sybillengrotte.

Here the path leads through the rock garden past the "Hühnerloch", a round opening in the rock. The end of the tour in the rock garden.

Here the path leads through the rock garden past the rock formation "Pans Sitz".

The rock formation is shaped like an umbrella and if it drips you can find protection here.

The rock garden Sanspareil (French sans pareil [sɑpaʀɛj] = unequal) is a 1744-1748 created English landscape garden near the Upper Franconian community Wonsees in the district of Kulmbach. The garden includes the existing rock structure of the Franconian Jura and the medieval castle of Zwernitz as staffages in the garden concept, the execution of which Margrave Friedrich von Bayreuth began and completed his wife Margravine Wilhelmine of Bayreuth according to their ideas (Wikipedia)

The ruin impressed us. Great architecture that lasts so long and benefits from the surroundings. If you are in the area you should not miss a small detour here.

It was really beautiful to look at !!!

An absolutely magical and fairytale place

In the rock garden of Sanspareil you can linger for a while and enjoy and explore the rocks as well as the use at that time. Unfortunately, the rock garden has become very overgrown, so that there are no more prospects.

Very nice park. It's nice and shady here. Theater performances take place here in summer. We recommend.

A great experience, the kids had a lot of fun too! I can only recommend it

The Aeolus tower is named after the Greek wind god Aeolus, whom Odysseus also encountered during his wanderings.

In autumn (October), the possibilities to stop (beer gardens) were unfortunately very clear.

In autumn (October), the possibilities to stop (beer gardens) were unfortunately very clear.

The visit to the rock garden of Sanspareil is worthwhile in every season.