The gardens and royal villa (‘Casino’) on Roseninsel, together with Feldafing landscape park, form a total work of art of historicism of European significance. Architect Franz Jacob Kreuter and Peter Joseph von Lenné, Director General of the Prussian Court Gardens, created an ensemble of perfect harmony on behalf of King Maximilian II of Bavaria.

Built between 1851 and 1853, the Casino, with its Italian architectural motifs and Pompeian décor, is also an important example of the admiration for antiquity that was prevalent at the time. It became one of King Ludwig II's favourite places to stay, where he received select guests such as Tsarina Maria Alexandrovna, Richard Wagner and Empress Elisabeth of Austria.