Schloss Rheydt : Peacock Paradise!

Right outside of the Dusseldorf/Neuss area you will find the next notable Schloss - Schloss Rheydt in Mönchengladbach.  While the origins of the Schloss can be traced back to the 12th century, the mansion's current style reflects more from the mid 16th century during the Renaissance time period.

The Schloss contains a museum over the history of the city, Mönchengladbach, as well as changing exhibitions.  There is ample parking, and the cost of a ticket is pretty cheap - around 4 euros for an adult.  It also has several walking paths - ranging at different lengths.  You won't find baroque gardens, of course, but the land is kept quite nice, and makes for a nice afternoon.

Now. My only warning...beware of the peacocks.  Well not so much them, but their poo.   Even though they are pretty and nice, they are just out and about, and because of this my friends, please pay attention to where you step - mind the poo.  Their is poo everywhere!!

Enjoy some pictures I took that day, and my end review.

Die Vorburg

A Peacock!

Ya....he's showing off.

This guy is carefully watching everyone...

Ya..he's looking for the ladies....

Back of the Schloss

Yes, they are even in the TREES!!

Taking it easy.....

Look another one!

Map of the different paths around the grounds.

I give this Schloss a 8.5/10.  Nice museum, nice grounds (mind the poo) = nice afternoon.

Schloss Augustusburg = Awesome : A UNESCO World Heritage Landmark

Parkplatz Max-Ernst-Allee, 50321 Brühl

You will find another awesome Schloss called Schloss Augustusburg right outside of Köln in Brühl.  The Brühl area actually has 2 Schlösser.  Schloss Augustusburg and Falkenlust.

At Schloss Augustusburg you can decide to take a small tour of 18 rooms or the larger tour of 25 rooms. You can buy a combo ticket and save some money to get into both Schlösser!  Unfortunately, I went too late in the day, and missed out on Falkenlust, but that's ok - another time!   The comboticket is good for the season - so until Nov 30th.  So if you don't have enough time - that's ok - don't panic. They offer tours in German, French, and English.  I somehow managed to get on a English tour due to a englisch speaking tour group that arrived. 

The Schloss was actually a summer residence of the Archbishop-Elector of Cologne, Clemens August of Bavaria. If you get a chance to tour - this residence boasts one amazing staircase with a beautiful fresco on the ceiling - that looks to have taken years to paint, but was actually done in 2 weeks!!!  It looks like no expense was spared - everything is quite luxurious.  The terrasse was actually being restored when I went, but the main portion was opened.  Unfortunately, you can see this in my  pictures - the staircase down into the Barock garden was blocked off, and you can see some construction equipment. =(

Here are some of my pictures from my visit...scroll down for my review

Overall: This schloss makes my must-see list -  9/10.

Nice tour, and nice garden.  It's beautiful - something to see if you are visiting Germany.