It is enthroned on a small island in Lake Schwerin: the majestic Schwerin Castle in the state capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern of the same name. The castle in Schwerin is known as one of the most beautiful castles in Germany and is only a day trip away from Hamburg.
Schwerin Castle is one of the ducal palaces and main residences in Meckleburg-Vorpommern. Today Schwerin Castle is the seat of the state parliament in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The castle and the surrounding town have more than a thousand years of history to tell, just waiting to be discovered.
History and architectural style of Schwerin Castle
The history of Schwerin Castle dates back to the Middle Ages. In the year 965, the first mention of a castle complex on a small island in today's Lake Schwerin was made. The underlying castle wall could be dated back to the year 942, which confirms the stories about the castle in Lake Schwerin. After the castle had been destroyed by the builders, Heinrich the Lion erected a new fortress and the foundation stone for today's Schwerin Castle on the same site in 1160.
In the following centuries, the castle on Lake Schwerin underwent many transformations, conquests, but also devastating fires. Between 1635 and 1643 one of the most elaborate designs began, which followed the idea of a complete new building of the Schwerin Castle in the style of the Dutch Renaissance. As a result of the Thirty Years' War, however, the work had to be stopped. At the beginning of the 19th century, construction of the new Schwerin Castle began, retaining some of the older parts in the French Renaissance style.
The year 1857 marks the temporary climax with the inauguration of Schwerin Castle with its familiar appearance. Both the façade and the interiors have been largely preserved to this day. Schwerin Castle serves today as a museum and has been the seat of the state parliament of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern since 1990.
Dreamlike castle garden around the Schwerin Castle
Idyllically situated on Lake Schwerin, it is not only the sight of Schwerin Castle that enchants thousands of visitors every year. The castle garden of Schwerin Castle is one of the most beautiful in the metropolitan region. The spacious park surrounds the castle and was the centre of the 2009 Federal Garden Show. The castle garden is located directly on the castle island and is connected via bridges with the castle garden and the old town of Schwerin. The centre of the complex is the Orangery, where citrus fruits were grown.
A unique fairytale castle in the Hamburg metropolitan region
It is not for nothing that the Schwerin Castle bears the nickname "Neuschwanstein of the North" or "Cinderella Castle". It is one of the most beautiful castles in Germany and is only a day trip away from Hamburg. You can reach Schwerin by train in less than an hour and a half. In addition to the simple entrance to the Schwerin Castle, you can also take part in guided tours and learn more about the history of the castle. The spacious castle museum is open to visitors all year round. The gardens in the castle park and garden are open all year round or close at dusk.
As part of the "Residenzensemble Schwerin - Kulturlandschaft des romantischen Historismus" (Schwerin Residence Ensemble - Cultural Landscape of Romantic Historism), Schwerin Castle has been on the list of candidates for inclusion in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage since 2014.
