TRETSCH, Aberlin - b. 1510 Stuttgart, d. ~1578 Stuttgart - WGA

TRETSCH, Aberlin

(b. 1510 Stuttgart, d. ~1578 Stuttgart)

German architect. A bondsman and the son of a poor family, he was self-taught and became adviser to the Dukes of Württemberg on artistic and technical matters. He knew none of the Mediterranean languages but had trained his eye by looking at the architecture of foreign courts. In 1568, with Georg Gadner, a privy councilor, he drew up a set of building regulations for Württemberg. From 1537 he was in the service of Duke Ulrich VI of Württemberg (reg 1537-50) and from 1550 in that of Duke Christopher (reg 1550-68); after the latter’s death Tretsch spent the last years of his own life working for Duke Ludwig VI (reg 1568-93).

Tretsch’s main work is undoubtedly the Altes Schloss (1553-68), the ducal palace in Stuttgart, on which he collaborated with Blasius Berwart I (active 1553-1590). The work started with rebuilding the medieval middle section of the Schloss, the Dürnitzbau, which was completed in 1560 with the duchess’s chambers. In the same year an outside staircase was constructed in front of the courtyard façade of the Dürnitzbau, probably to designs by Berwart. The building of the three new courtyard ranges began in 1557. In 1559 Tretsch submitted a plan for the new (south) wing of the Altes Schloss, which was to include a chapel. The Schlosskapelle was the first Protestant church in the duchy of Württemberg; the sight-line for the church is mentioned in 1557.

Tretsch was also involved in many other projects for the dukes. His expertise was particularly in demand for the reinforcement and extension of the fortresses at Hohentwiel (1552-56; 1561-64), Hohenurach (1561-65) and Schorndorf (1565). In addition, he drew up plans for the ducal palaces at Göppingen (1557-65), Pfullingen (1563) and Schloss Neuenstadt (1565) on the Linde.

Exterior view

The seat of the counts and dukes of W�rttemberg up to the 18th century, the Altes Schloss is situated in the centre of Stuttgart. The first building on the site was put up by Duke Ludolf on a man-made hill in the mid-10th century. About 1320 the castle was rebuilt in local sandstone for the House of W�rttemberg. In addition to a moat, 7 or 8 m deep, and a covered sentry walk, the structure included the D�rnitzbau, a large, centrally divided hall for tournaments and festivities.

From 1553 Christopher, Duke of W�rttemberg (reg 1550-68), had the moated stronghold converted into a residential castle by Aberlin Tretsch and Blasius Berwart I (active 1553-1590). The D�rnitzbau was given a new fa�ade with bay windows, and from 1557 was extended by three wings fronted by three-storey arcades facing the courtyard. This was one of the first Renaissance courtyards in southern Germany. With the three new ranges, the old D�rnitzbau has a four-range layout around a rectangular courtyard. The arcaded ranges are broken up regularly by pavilions at roof level.

Notable features are the equestrian staircase leading to the upper floors and the Schlosskirche (1558-62), a very early German Protestant church, designed for preaching. The three aesthetically important corner towers were added in 1572, 1576 and 1687. The moat was filled in the 18th century.

The Altes Schloss was largely destroyed in 1944. In the rebuilding from 1947 to 1971 its original appearance was retained, but almost all the interior was modernized and adapted to the needs of the W�rttembergisches Landesmuseum.

The photo shows a view from the Schlossplatz.

View the ground plan of the Altes Schloss.

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Interior view

The building of the three new courtyard ranges began in 1557. All three floors of these ranges are fronted on the courtyard side by arcades with rib vaulting and Corinthian columns.

The photo shows the inner courtyard.

View the ground plan of the Altes Schloss.

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