RESIDENCE CASTLE HEIDECKSBURG / Prince Johann Friedrich of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt / Part 1 / Documentary HD

The Red Hall (Audience Hall):
The Red Hall, designed for state affairs, was already completed in 1741 by Johann Christoph Knöffel in its shell and was intended to serve as an audience hall for the prince's state and government affairs and for smaller celebrations. This is where the reigning prince Johann Friedrich von Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt received important visitors, such as other princes. The chandelier sparkled as soon as the servant lit the numerous 149 candles. Cut Bohemian glass reflected the light. This made the room appear much brighter. Above this, decorative paintings with the shepherd scenes that were popular in the middle of the century are embedded in the wall. Johann Friedrich was one of the rulers of the principality who had a lasting influence on intellectual life at court and in the country, the church and school system, science and art, as well as economic development. The enormous costs that the work on the Heidecksburg caused, in addition to the already excessive financial expenditure for the court, virtually forced the princely government to use all of the country's natural resources and to promote trade and industry. The Oldest Volkstedt Porcelain Manufactory was created.

The ballroom:
...completed around 1750, is a masterpiece by the Weimar master builder Gottfried Heinrich Krohne. The ceremonial hall stretches over two floors - 12 meters high. The floor plan of the room is wave-like and gliding. Within four weeks in 1744, the painter Deisinger created the enormous ceiling fresco, which has the council of gods gathered on Olympus as its theme. Krohne's mastery is evident in the decoration and design of his buildings. Craftsmen, painters, carpenters and plasterers create works of art for the interior design based on his designs. The room has no corners and no empty spaces - everything is painterly movement. Baroque at its highest perfection!