Written in Latin, several building inscriptions on Solitude Palace inform viewers of the motivation of its builder, Duke Carl Eugen von Württemberg. A newer tablet of inscriptions made of bronze can also be viewed at Solitude Palace.
Carl Eugen praised himself.
On the courtyard portal of the palace passageway, a sandstone cartouche is crowned with laurel leaves. Above the finely carved Latin numerals for the year, the following inscription can be read: MODERATORE CAROLO DESERTAM SOLITUDINEM LABOR IMPROBUS QUADRIENNIO VICIT MDCCLXIII – MDCCLXVII. In translation, that means: "Under the leadership of Carl, untiring work conquered the lonely desert in four years 1763–1767."
Carl Eugen dedicated the palace to "holy peace."
There is also a sandstone cartouche crowned with laurel leaves on the north side of the palace passageway. Here, too, is another finely carved inscription in Latin. It reads: LOCA HAEC TRANQUILLITATI SACRA VOLUIT CAROLUS. In translation, that means: "The place that Carl Eugen dedicated to holy peace."
The duke gave orders.
Both inscriptions emphasize the decisive role of the duke. He commissioned the project in 1763. And it was he who pressed for the quick implementation of the construction project in only four years—he visited the construction site regularly. Indeed, construction work on the palace and garden was likely first completed in 1769. Nonetheless, the duke himself was the mastermind behind the planning of Solitude Palace. Only once his own knowledge would take him no further did he draw on his court architect, Philippe de La Guêpière.
"National Land Survey of Württemberg / 1820 / Starting point of the baseline / Solitude – Ludwigsburg / Length: 40,118.718 Parisian feet / = 13,032.14 meters."
There's a wonderful view towards Ludwigsburg from the terrace on the north side.
