Exotic animals were objects of prestige in the Baroque period. From the early Renaissance onwards, the creation of animal enclosures with unusual animals was an important element in courtly gardens. The older part of a menagerie was located in this circular enclosure. The enclosure is set into the slope like an amphitheatre, from where visitors could easily observe the animals.
The enclosure is popularly known as the "bear enclosure", but the bears were probably not housed here, but in elaborately secured "bear boxes" on the "Herzogsterrassen". The animals housed here were probably rare birds, but monkeys, peacocks and other animals could also be marvelled at.
The bear enclosure is located above the Schwanenweiher ponds on the Schlossbergtour premium trail.
