In the 18th and 19th centuries, Ludwigslust Castle was the residence of the Dukes in the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Today, the "Versailles of the North" is an incomparable cultural and historical monument in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and only a day trip away from Hamburg.
South of the state capital Schwerin lies the small town Ludwigslust. The town is best known for its baroque splendour - Ludwigslust Castle and the surrounding residential town with its castle garden. The heart of Ludwigslust Castle is the Golden Hall, which is decorated with monumental columns, large mirrors and magnificent decoration. Here you can walk on the parquet floor of former balls and festivals.
From the hunting lodge to the residence of the dukes
Today's Ludwigslust goes back to the former Gutsdown Klenow and was an area rich in wildlife, which is why Christian Ludwig II planned a hunting residence here at the beginning of the 18th century. The construction of today's castle began in 1772 as a " substitute " for the today no longer existing hunting lodge at the behest of Frederick the Pious (son of Christian Ludwig II). Ludwigslust Castle is reminiscent at first sight of the majestic Versailles in France. And this is no coincidence. Stylistically, Ludwigslust Palace is the last expression of German "absolutism", from the outside classicistic and in parts also influenced by the Baroque. Original plans for a modest extension of the former hunting residence in Ludwigslust were rejected after Friedrich got to know magnificent castles such as Versailles on the Grand Tour through Europe.
When Friedrich died and the court moved back to Schwerin, Ludwigslust Castle lost its importance as a residency and was used from then on as a residential complex and summer residence. During the First and Second World Wars the castle was almost completely undamaged. Today the castle is a branch of the State Museum Schwerin and open to the public.
Ludwigslust's palace complex at a glance
Ludwigslust Palace is embedded in an impressive palace and park complex. The landscape park looks like a fairytale and combines baroque elements such as water features with the grace of an English garden. The castle park extends over 127 hectares and fascinates visitors. Anyone strolling along here can literally feel the elegance with which the nobility of that time lived. On the castle grounds there is also a specially built church and an entire courtyard and flower garden. The Ludwigsluster Canal ends in the basin that has been pre-arranged for the castle, which over the cascades represents probably the most impressive panorama of the complex.
A day trip in the metropolitan region to Ludwigslust Castle
Visit Ludwigslust Castle and the museum housed there on a day trip to the green metropolitan region of Hamburg. We recommend a visit to the castle museum. Public guided tours take place from 15 April to 14 October Tuesdays to Fridays at 2 pm and Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays at 11am, 2pm and 3pm. From October to April the guided tours take place only on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays at 2 pm. On the ground floor of the castle there is a small café with a terrace and a view of the park. Homemade cakes and coffee specialities are served.
You can reach Ludwigslust by car from Hamburg in about 1.5 hours. With the regional train you can travel in a similar time via Schwerin and make a detour to .
