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Ludswigburg-- Home of Baroque Festivals

Just as St. Charles has quite a number of festivals celebrating its historic heritage, Ludwigsburg has three major festive seasons: The Palace Festival, the Advent Christmas Market on the Marktplaz, and the Venezianische-Messe, or Venetian Fest. The Palace Festival features historic aspects and a full program of many different musical styles and venues. People come from all around to take advantage of the unique wares for sale. But there is absolutely nothing like the Venetian Fest.

Venetian Fest was first brought to Ludwigsburg by Duke Carl Eugen in 1768 after a trip to Venice, Italy. Modeled after the Carneval di Venezia, this biannual festival features the masques, colorful flair and excess of Italian carnevale, made even more macabre with the background of the Baroque architecture of Ludwigsburg. After being gone for quite some time, this festival was reinstated with a modern flair in 1993. Several Sister Cities members have traveled to Ludwigsburg for this celebration.


Vince and Sharon Luetkenhaus (center) in costumes prepared by their hosts Karin and Werner Oesterle.	The crowd watches the Agents on stilts "search" during the three day festival.

For more information on the Ludwigsburg Venetian Festival, go to www.venezianische-messe.de/