Mit königlichen Augen

Molsdorf Castle is one of the most beautiful small late baroque castles in Germany. It owes its (former) splendor to its famous owner, Count Gustav Adolf von Gotter (1692-1762). As a diplomat and early European employed at the imperial court in Vienna and the royal court in Berlin, Gotter, who came originally from Gotha, bought a house in his home country. He had it rebuilt and decorated by the best builders and artists of his time until 1745. In 1845, Queen Victoria finally visited the castle, which now belonged to her family from the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. This publication records what the young queen saw in detail and with rich illustrations. Therefore, the book can serve as a "royal" castle guide, but also provides a comprehensive reconstruction of the historic inventory. In any case, Queen Victoria was impressed by Molsdorf Castle and wrote in her diary: "The old Château belonged to a Count Götter, who lived there with a number of friends who belonged to an order, whose Motto was: "Vive la joie", & who led very licentious lives; the rooms are completely full of Portraits of that time, & of curious ones; - of Frederick the 1st of Prussia, & his Ministers; of Frederic the Great when young, - of Pces of Gotha - & all of that time; & also of Pcesses & Ladies of that time; & below stairs there are Pictures of the dancers of the time. All the Ceilings are painted; - in the largest room upstairs is written in the corners of the ceiling: - "Vive la joie". - After eating some excellent & quite red apples, we left Molsdorff; ." Queen Victoria, 31. August 1845