Karlsruher Tulpenbuch

The Badische Landesbibliothek in Karlsruhe (State library of Baden-Württemberg) recently posted a site devoted to the 'Karsruhe Tulpenbuch' (~1730). [thumbnail pages, multiple size image slideshow ('Bilderschau') and some large, high resolution examples ('Großformat-Abbildungen')] {via}

Karlsruhe in SW Germany was founded by and named after Margrave Karl Wilhelm of Baden-Durlach in 1715. He lived in the Karlsruhe Schloss (castle) whose baroque gardens were arranged in a concentric pattern and the 32 avenues radiating from the central tower gave rise to the circular shape of the town.

If you read german there is a lot of background available about the history of the gardens and the Karl Wilhelm family but the web translations left me more confused than enlightened. There are about 72 illustrations available (obviously not all tulips) and check out the links at the bottom of the page.

• The introduction page has a microfilm copy of the estate layout.
• Aerial views of the Karlsruhe Schlossgarten from recent times (now including botanical gardens) - about the first 6 pictures.
• A map of the area from 1843.