Analyzing Schinkel - Roman Baths and Gardener House

History

In 1825 the crown prince Friedrich Wilhelm IV had been given some land in the south of the palace garden of Sanssouci from his father. The prince decided to convert the old farm house Charlottenhof in a castle and build a building ensemble at the ‘Schafsgraben’, later known as the Roman Baths. In contradiction to the statly and pompous residential building of the nobility the building assembly of the Roman Bath was supposed to
be an idyllic and rural residence. The ensemble is compound by buildings of different form and character and intimate outside areas connected by pergolas. The only pieces were built on after another, always carfully watched by the art loving prince himself.

In the center of the site is the Gardeners house with the tower. It is inspired by italian country houses. The finished building therefore has a remarkable resemblance with many sketches of simple farmers houses Schinkel did while he was traveling to Italy.

Elevation and Plan by Schinkel

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