Introduction
Nestled in the picturesque Bavarian Alps, Hohenschwangau Castle stands as a romantic summer and hunting residence with a rich history dating back to the 12th century. This magnificent 19th-century palace, located in the German village of Hohenschwangau near the town of Füssen in southwestern Bavaria, served as the childhood home of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. With its striking yellow façade and three round towers, the castle makes a beautiful and cosy impression even from the outside. The complex, as created by King Maximilian II and his artist-architects, has been preserved as an extraordinary architectural monument from the Romantic era, offering visitors a fascinating glimpse into Bavarian royal history.
Interesting Facts about Hohenschwangau Castle
- Originally a 12th-century fortress, Hohenschwangau Castle was rebuilt in 1837 by Bavarian King Maximilian II as a romantic neo-Gothic summer residence.
- The castle served as the childhood home of King Ludwig II, whose fascination with myths and legends here later inspired his fantastical Neuschwanstein Castle.
- Over 90 murals adorn its walls, depicting German legends like Parzival and Lohengrin – stories that later influenced Richard Wagner’s operas.
- Its iconic "Hall of the Swan Knight" features intricate swan motifs, paying homage to the castle’s name which translates as "High District of the Swan".
- Young Ludwig II used a telescope in his bedroom to monitor construction progress on Neuschwanstein Castle from Hohenschwangau’s windows.
- The castle contains Bavaria’s first-ever electric lift, installed in 1905 for Prince Regent Luitpold when he occupied the third floor.
- Queen Marie of Prussia created an alpine garden on the grounds with plants collected from across the Alps during royal family summers there.
- Though fully furnished, only 14 rooms are accessible to the public during mandatory 35-minute guided tours.
- It remains owned by the Wittelsbach family trust rather than the German state, unlike neighbouring Neuschwanstein.
- As Europe’s most-visited castle, it welcomes up to 8,000 daily visitors during peak seasons.
History
Early Origins
Hohenschwangau Castle was first mentioned in records of the 12th century. Until the 16th century, its owners were the knights of Schwangau, who served as ministeriales of the Welfs. The castle served as the center of government for the Schwangau Feudal System, where it oversaw peasants undertaking work around farms in its outlying flatlands. Hiltbolt von Schwangau (1195–1254) was a notable minnesinger associated with the castle's early history. The fortress, originally named Schwangau (literally translated as "the Swan District"), stood high up on a rock on the site of the present 19th-century Neuschwanstein castle.
Medieval Period
The present-day Hohenschwangau castle was first mentioned in 1397, though under the name of Schwanstein. It was built on a hill above Lake Alpsee, below the older fortress. Between 1440 and 1521, the Lords had to sell their fief with Imperial immediacy to the Wittelsbach dukes of Bavaria but continued to occupy the castle as Burgraves. In 1521, they became owners again but had to sell their land in 1535. The purchaser, Johann Paumgartner, a wealthy Augsburg merchant, had the lower castle reconstructed by Italian architect Lucio di Spazzi, who already worked on the Hofburg in Innsbruck. He kept the exterior walls and the towers but rebuilt the inner parts until 1547, on a floor plan that still exists today.
Wittelsbach Ownership
The Wittelsbachs used the castle for bear hunting or as a retreat for agnatic princes. In 1743, it was plundered by Austrian troops. During the German mediatization, the county of Schwangau became officially a part of the Electorate of Bavaria in 1803. King Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria sold the castle in 1820. Only in 1832 did his grandson Maximilian II of Bavaria, then crown prince, buy it back. In April 1829, he had discovered the historic site during a walking tour and reacted enthusiastically to the beauty of the surrounding area.
Reconstruction and Royal Residence
In February 1833, the reconstruction of the castle began under the direction of architect Domenico Quaglio, continuing until 1837, with additions up to 1855. Quaglio was responsible for the neo-Gothic style of the exterior design. He died in 1837, and the task was continued by Joseph Daniel Ohlmüller (who died in 1839) and Georg Friedrich Ziebland. Between 1833 and 1837, Crown Prince Maximilian transformed the medieval ruins into a romantic castle, creating a model for many other buildings of the era.
Royal Family Life
Hohenschwangau became the official summer and hunting residence of Maximilian, his wife Marie of Prussia, and their two sons Ludwig (the later King Ludwig II of Bavaria) and Otto (the later King Otto I of Bavaria). The young princes spent many years of their adolescence here. The King and Queen lived in the main building, and the boys in the annex. The castle quickly became one of the favoured homes of the Royal family, with King Maximilian occupying himself with hunting, Queen Marie hiking, and Prince Ludwig dreaming of fairytales and years gone by.
Later Years
King Maximilian died in 1864, and his son Ludwig succeeded to the throne, moving into his father's room in the castle. As Ludwig never married, his mother Marie was able to continue living on her floor during the summer months. King Ludwig enjoyed living in Hohenschwangau, however mostly in the absence of his disliked mother, especially after 1869 when the building of his own castle, Neuschwanstein, began on the site of the old Schwangau fortress, high above his parents' castle. After Ludwig's death in 1886, Queen Marie was the castle's only resident until she in turn died in 1889. Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria later lived on the 3rd floor of the main building and was responsible for the electrification in 1905 and the installation of an electric elevator. Luitpold died in 1912, and the palace was opened as a museum during the following year.
Description
Castle Interior
Artistic Design
The interior decoration from the Biedermeier period has remained unchanged to this day, and all rooms inspire with their magnificent furnishings and artistically valuable design. More than 90 wall paintings by artists such as Lorenzo Quaglio and Michael Neher represent the history of Schwangau, as well as medieval German romances such as Parzival and the story of Lohengrin, the Knight of the Swan. These artistic works later inspired Richard Wagner's operas Lohengrin of 1848 and Parsifal of 1882, which were sponsored by Ludwig II, who had grown up with these stories at Hohenschwangau.
Heroes' Hall (Festsaal)
The Heroes' Hall serves as a majestic dining hall and is one of the most remarkable rooms in the castle. It is adorned with murals depicting scenes from the Nibelungenlied epic poem, showcasing the artistic vision of the Romantic era. The hall exemplifies the harmonious coordination between interior and exterior design, furnishings, and wall paintings that characterize the entire castle complex.
The Berchta Room
The Berchta Room served as Queen Marie's study and features artistic portrayals of legends around Emperor Charlemagne's birth. This room, like many others in the castle, reflects the royal family's fascination with medieval German legends and mythology, themes that would later influence King Ludwig II's architectural vision for Neuschwanstein Castle.
The Hohenstaufen Room
The Hohenstaufen Room served as a dressing room for both Maximilian II and Ludwig II. This practical yet elegantly decorated space showcases the more modest and functional aspects of royal life at Hohenschwangau, in contrast to the more lavish designs found in Ludwig II's later castles.
The Orient Room
The Orient Room was designed in oriental style and served as Queen Marie's bedchamber. This room reflects King Maximilian II's fascination with foreign lands through its exotic design elements. The oriental influences seen here are part of the broader 19th-century European interest in Eastern aesthetics and culture.
The Swan Knight Hall
The Swan Knight Hall is another notable room that celebrates the swan motif, which is omnipresent throughout the castle. The name "Hohenschwangau" means "The High District of the Swan," and the swan became an important motif in the life of King Ludwig II, influencing his later architectural projects and artistic patronage.
The Library
The Library served as an important space for the education and intellectual development of the young princes Ludwig and Otto. The room houses a collection of books that reflect the literary interests of the Bavarian royal family and the cultural context of 19th-century Germany.
Castle Gardens and Surroundings
Romantic Castle Garden
The garden of Hohenschwangau Castle was designed by the theatre architect Domenico Quaglio from 1833 until 1837. In 1851, it was extended by Georg Friedrich Ziebland and Peter Joseph Lenné, and in 2007, the garden was rearranged according to the original state of the 19th century. A visit to Hohenschwangau Castle includes a walk through this romantic castle garden with beautiful views of the Alpsee, the forests, and mountains.
Symbolic Fountains
All the fountains in the garden reflect the romantic programme of the castle's rooms. The lion's fountain, modelled after an example of the Spanish Alhambra fountain, represents the Orient. St. Mary's fountain in the courtyard symbolises Christianity, while the Swan Fountain represents the local identity and knighthood. The Marble Bath reminds visitors of baths from ancient times, and the "gooseman's" fountain (1867) refers to legends of the Middle Ages.
Swan Fountains
Look out for the two swan fountains in the castle gardens. One is of a swan alone with water cascading from its beak; the other shows a peasant carrying two swans under his arms. The emblem of the swan is fundamental to this castle, reflecting its name "Hohenschwangau," which means "The High District of the Swan." It's likely the castle got its name from the neighbouring Schwansee – an Alpine lake where Queen Marie would take her two princes to feed the swans.
The Red Bathing House Grotto
There is a deep red bathing house grotto hidden deep within the castle gardens. This unique feature is carved directly from the mountain and highly polished, adding to the romantic atmosphere of the castle grounds. The grotto represents another aspect of 19th-century romantic design, incorporating natural elements into the constructed environment.
Schwanseepark
The Schwanseepark, which was once laid out in the style of a typical English landscape park, extends around the castle. During leisurely walks here, visitors can walk in the footsteps of the royal family and look forward to wonderful impressions of nature. Queen Marie, who loved to hike in the mountains, created an alpine garden with plants gathered from all over the Alps, reflecting her passion for botany and the natural world.
Getting There
To reach Hohenschwangau Castle, located in the picturesque village of Hohenschwangau in Bavaria, you have several transport options. If travelling by car, simply set your GPS to "Hohenschwangau" and take the "Füssen" exit from Bundesautobahn 7. You'll need to park in one of the village car parks (P4 is recommended for the castle, costing €7 for 6 hours). From Munich, you can take a train to Füssen (approximately two hours), then catch bus 73 towards Steingaden/Garmisch-Partenkirchen or bus 78 towards Schwangau, disembarking at "Hohenschwangau/Alpseestraße". From the village, it's a pleasant 5-10 minute walk uphill to the castle entrance, covering about 300-500 metres with only 40 metres of elevation gain. Alternatively, horse-drawn carriages are available from Hotel Müller on Alpseestraße, costing €7 for the uphill journey and €3.50 for the return trip. Unlike its famous neighbour Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau is relatively easy to access, making it a delightful addition to your Bavarian castle tour.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Hohenschwangau Castle largely depends on your preferences, but generally, late spring and early autumn offer an ideal balance of pleasant weather and manageable crowds. Whilst summer (June to August) boasts the most favourable weather conditions, it's also the busiest period, with throngs of tourists flocking to the area. For those seeking a quieter experience, consider visiting in January, February, or November, when visitor numbers are significantly lower. However, be prepared for colder temperatures and potential snow during these months. It's worth noting that the castle remains open year-round, with slightly reduced hours during the winter season (mid-October to March). Regardless of when you choose to visit, arriving early in the day is advisable to avoid the largest crowds and secure your preferred tour time.
