Ludwigslust means “Ludwig’s joy”, and was formed by Prince Ludwig in the 18th century. Located in the north of Germany, surrounded by the countryside of the Mecklenburg region, it has a population of around 12,000. The main point of interest is the castle, called the Schloss Ludwigslust, with a grand design that has led to its being called the “Little Versailles in Mecklenburg”. Largely baroque in style, it’s open to the public as a museum, housing paintings and furnishings from the 18th and 19th centuries. The castle is surrounded by 120 hectares of parkland complete with canals and fountains. The town’s church is also of note due to its baroque design, however in this case it emulates a Greek temple. There are hotels and restaurants within the town, and the main street, the “Schloßstraße” has charming red brick houses and lime trees.
