Karlsruhe Palace

Karlsruhe, Germany, Germany

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Karlsruhe Palace (German: Karlsruher Schloss) is a baroque three-wing palace located on Schlossplatz in the heart of Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, built between 1715 and 1718 for Margrave Charles III William of Baden-Durlach after a dispute with the citizens of his previous capital, Durlach.

The palace was originally called "Carols Ruh" (Charles's Rest) and was constructed in the middle of the Hardtwald forest, with the city of Karlsruhe subsequently growing around it in a unique fan-shaped layout where 32 axes radiate outward from the central palace tower, giving Karlsruhe its nickname "Fächerstadt" (fan city).

Originally partially made of wood, the palace had to be rebuilt in 1746 using stone after being damaged by thunderstorm and fire, and Margrave Charles Frederick later had it altered by architects Balthasar Neumann and Friedrich von Kesslau until 1770, adding larger windows and doors, pavilions, and wings. 

For almost 200 years, from 1715 until November 1918, the palace served as the residence and seat of government of the Margraves, Electors, and Grand Dukes of Baden, with the last reigning Grand Duke Friedrich II fleeing from revolutionary Baden troops when the monarchy ended.