A fairytale fortress in the middle of Lake Schwerin, Schwerin Castle (Schloss Schwerin) has to be one of Germany’s prettiest castles. This picturesque palace has to be seen to be believed. Made up of countless turrets, carvings, statues and windows, it truly does look like it’s been plucked from a storybook. I loved my visit here and can’t recommend it enough!
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I really couldn’t take my eyes off this place when I visited. there are so many intricate details on the outside of the castle and even more if you choose to head inside. The interior has been beautifully restored and brought to life, it’s well worth the entrance fee. Here’s my guide to all you need to know about visiting Schwerin Castle!
Schwerin Castle: Everything you need to know
What you need to know
- Is Schwerin Castle worth seeing? Definitely! No photo will ever do this place justice, the setting, the interior and the castle itself are all incredible. I loved walking around the grounds and seeing inside the castle.
- How long to spend at Schwerin Castle? I walked around the interior of the castle and spent some time outside in the gardens and grounds and spent the best part of the morning there.
- How many rooms does Schwerin Castle have? This castle is huge, it has 635 rooms! Don’t worry, you don’t have to walk through all 635 if you visit inside.
- When was Schwerin Castle built? The castle as we see it today was built in the 19th century, between 1845 and 1857
- How big is Schwerin Castle? The 635 rooms should give an indication of its size, Schwerin Castle is huge.
How to get there
Finding Schwerin Castle is really easy, here’s how:
- By public transport: If you’re coming from the main train station you can catch the number 10 bus in the Buchenweg direction.
- On foot: Schwerin Castle is really easy to find once you’re in Schwerin. The town is really well signposted so you can’t lose your way. If you’re coming from the main train station it’s around a 15-20 minute walk.
- By car: There are lots of parking places around the castle and by Schwerin Lake including outside of Mecklenburg State Theatre & Graf Shack Allee
Opening times
Schwerin Castle has the following open times:
- November to March, Tuesday to Sunday: 11 am – 5 pm
- April to October, Tuesday to Sunday: 11 am – 6 pm
The castle park is open all day however the castle gardens close at dusk.
Be sure to check opening times on public holidays on the website as these may be different!
Entry fee
The prices for Schwerin Castle tickets are as follows:
- Adult: 8.50 €
- Concession: 6.50 €
- Children under 18: Free
My tips for visiting
- Get there early: If you want to beat the crowds and tourists in all your photos get there early but don’t head inside straight away. Visit the Orangery and walk around the castle first to get all your photos before it gets busy.
- Don’t miss out on the gardens: Be sure to take a walk through the gardens, they’re beautifully maintained, full of flowerbeds, fountains and sculptures. Additionally, you can get some great views of the castle from a distance!
All about Schwerin Castle
Schwerin Castle history
Although Schwerin was established in 1160, evidence of fortresses on Schwerin Island dates back thousands of years, with some structures dating as far back as around 940 AD. While some form of palace or fort has occupied the island throughout its history however the castle we admire today really started to evolve in the 1500s under the direction of the Duke of Mecklenburg. Extensive renovations took place from the mid-1800s onwards, transforming the castle into the magnificent masterpiece we see today.
In 1981 the Grand Duke was forced into abdication, afterwards, the castle became state-owned. Areas of the castle were opened as the Mecklenburg State Museum in 1921 allowing members of the public to visit.
Today Schwerin Palace is also home to the State Parliament and acts as the political hub of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Inside the castle
Every inch of the Schwerin Castle interior is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship and grandeur. From intricately carved door frames to magnificent stained glass windows, the castle exudes opulence and extravagance.
Marble columns, impressive chandeliers, and golden doors guide you through the halls, however the true highlight has to be the throne room. It has one of the most impressive ceilings I’ve ever seen and its regal ambience feels like being in the presence of royalty itself. I can’t recommend heading inside the castle enough. you can even grab an audio guide for 2.00 € if you want to learn more about this historic building.
Schwerin Castle Orangery
I’ll completely out myself here and say I’d never heard of an Orangery and was fully expecting a bunch of orange trees. I actually walked straight past it initially as I was too focused on looking for orange trees. The Orangery is the crowning jewel of the castle’s gardens. This grand courtyard is honestly one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen, an incredible fountain stands in the middle surrounded by statues, archways and meticulously maintained flowers and foliage.
Make sure you see this place both from above on the walkways and heading down to see it at ground level, every angle of the Orangery is breathtaking.
The ghost of Schwerin Castle
Exploring Schwerin Castle? Keep an eye out for its resident ghost! Legend has it that the castle is haunted by a friendly spirit known as Petermännchen (Little Peter), who watches over visitors and protects the castle from wrongdoers. Little Peter has a few different origin stories, some saying he was a blacksmith who worked in the tunnels, others saying. Today the Schwerin Castle ghost is represented in various statues and paintings throughout the castle, see if you can spot him!
Summary
I really loved my visit to Schwerin Castle, it’s absolutely breathtaking, both inside and out. The surrounding gardens are perfect for a walk and it’s only a stone’s throw away from the town of Schwerin making it easily accessible. I can’t recommend a visit enough!
