Schwerin Castle – History, Facts & Travel Tips

Schwerin Castle looks like a fairy tale come true with its magical architecture built amidst a wonderful landscape composed of lakes and forests. 

History of Schwerin Castle

Several older fortresses have existed on the castle island, with the oldest traces dating back to AD942. However, archaeologists have reported that people have lived in the area for thousands of years. In 1160, a fortress of the Obotrit tribe was conquered by an army of soldiers commanded by the famous Henry the Lion, Duke of Bavaria and Saxony. Therefore the year 1160 became the official founding year of the castle. Schwerin Castle later became a castle of the Dukes of Mecklenburg; however, it fell into a state of abandonment when the dukes relocated in 1765. It was only around 1843 that the castle began to take the form we see today. Major renovation of the building took place, with only some of its older parts having been kept.

The court of the Grand duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin moved into the castle in May 1857. In 1913, around one-third of the castle was destroyed in a fire. The reconstruction was still in process when the revolution of 1918 resulted in the Grand Duke being abdicated. The castle underwent a series of renovations after the German state took over the castle in 1918. After being a museum for a brief period, it became the seat of the state parliament in 1948. It also served as a college for kindergarten teachers between 1952 and 1981. Some castle rooms were used as an art museum from around 1974.

Schwerin Castle Architecture

Soon to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Schwerin Castle is a marvellous castle built in the Romantic style of Architecture. Some of Prussia’s finest visionary architects were commissioned to design the ultimate fairytale castle. The team of architects included Georg Adolf Demmler, Friedrich August Stüler, and Gottfried Semper, all renowned architects at the time.

To gather inspiration, the Grand Duke sent Georg Adolf Demmler on holiday. The great architect then toured around France, visiting castles all over the country and sketching his ideas. Finally, on the banks of the River Loire, he came across the Chateau of Chambord, which ultimately became his inspiration. Demmler’s design was heavily influenced by what he had seen in France. He had also incorporated many Renaissance-style features in the castle. This modern take on the late medieval past is popularly known as Neo-Renaissance architecture, and Schwerin Castle is one of its finest examples. Soon after its construction was completed in 1857, the castle came to be known as a masterpiece.

Peter Joseph Lenne designed the picturesque gardens in the 1840s, which has a Nineteenth-Century Mixed Style assembly of features that includes a grotto, arcades, terraces, and flights of steps. The older baroque garden was designed by the French designer Jean Legeay in 1848 and was restored in the later years.

The castle is easily reachable by train, bus, and car from Berlin and Hamburg. The nearest train stations to the castle are Schwerin Mitte and Schwerin Central Station, which are within a 20-minute walk from the castle. A bus line also runs from the castle to Schwerin central station.

Schwerin Castle tickets can be purchased at the museum’s office. The guided tour is highly recommended if you want to discover the secrets and stories behind the objects and rooms.

Schwerin Castle’s entrance fee is €8.5 ($11) for adults, and €6.5 ($8) for students, disabled people, and senior citizens (above 65 years old). Everyone under 18 years of age can enter free of charge.

The nearby attractions will make your trip fruitful as Schwerin Castle is situated near Hanseatic Rostock, the largest town in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. It exhibits stunning brick Gothic architecture, while the UNESCO-listed historic centre of nearby Wismar illustrates a typical Hanseatic village during the 14th century. There are also some beautiful walks in the surrounding countryside which would make your day more pleasant. Friedrichsmoor hunting lodge nearby is a small, historic country house that makes an ideal place to relax and rejuvenate. So the next time you plan to visit the castle, do include these places in your tour.

Schwerin Castle Facts

Here are some of the most interesting facts about the Schwerin Castle:

• Schwerin Castle consists of 653 massive rooms.
• Schwerin Castle has a ghost haunting its walls known as ‘little Peterman’. It has become quite an attraction for visiting the castle. The ghost is considered to be a few feet in height and is believed to be dressed in 17th-century clothing, and only appears before a few.
• The Museum inside Schwerin Castle recreates some of the highly ornate and traditionally decorated rooms from the previous historical eras. There are ‘Throne Apartments’ at the museum that are one of a kind and the only ones found in Europe.
• The round tower room of the castle was designed as a ‘garden salon’ and provides stunning panoramic views of the surrounding baroque gardens. The castle has also been the venue of numerous concerts.
• The outdoor areas of the castle have been captured in the filming of the movie Kingsman: The Golden Circle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nitesh Kucchal

Nitesh Kuchhal, an IIM Calcutta graduate, is more than an educator—he's a mentor. With a passion for leadership and entrepreneurship, and travel. He has explored over 20 countries. Beyond teaching, he dives into psychology and discusses social issues. Though he is not a history expert, he enjoys learning about it through books, adding a historical touch to his many interests.