Sitting on an island in the middle of Lake Schwerin, Schwerin Castle is a picturesque castle located in the northern German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Though records of the castle date back to the 12th century, the modern-day structure was built between 1845 and 1857 for Grand Duke Friedrich Franz II of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. This majestic palace has served as a royal residence, government building, and even a prison during World War II. It’s also considered to be one of the best examples of Renaissance architecture in Europe. Today, Schwerin Castle is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Germany.
Photo: Todamo/Shutterstock
Schwerin Castle in Germany Is a Work of Renaissance Art in the Middle of a Lake
Schwerin Castle dates back to 1160 when it was first used as a Slavic fortification. It was destroyed twice — once by fire and once by lightning — before being rebuilt each time by local rulers. It eventually became the home of the Dukes of Mecklenburg-Schwerin until they were forced to vacate after World War II. The castle was then used as a prison before being renovated into a museum in 1964. Since then, it has become a popular tourist attraction that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from all around the world each year.
@matadornetwork Germany's #SchwerinCastle looks like it's straight out of a fairytale 🏰 🎥 @Sarah @germany.tourism #visitgermany #EmbraceGermanNature #germanytourism #Schwerin ♬ in this shirt – favsoundds
Today, there are several interesting things to see inside Schwerin Castle including its grand ballroom, chapel, library and art gallery. There are also several gardens located around the castle including Rose Garden which features more than 500 different types of roses from all over Europe and beyond. The castle also houses an impressive collection of furniture from various eras including Baroque period pieces as well as modern pieces from the 1970s and 1980s. Additionally, you can view many historical artifacts such as coins dating back to Roman times as well as weapons used during various battles throughout history.
In addition to exploring inside the castle itself, visitors can also enjoy strolling around its vast grounds which include formal gardens filled with exotic plants and flowers as well as sprawling meadows perfect for picnicking or simply taking in some fresh air. There are also several pathways that wind their way around the perimeter which offer plenty more stunning views across Lake Schwerin. Guided tours take place every day, teaching visitors more about the history of this iconic building while taking in its beautiful architecture up close. In addition, there are audio guides available that offer detailed information about each room inside Schwerin Castle in both German and English language options. Visitors can even rent boats for cruising around Lake Schwering on sunny days.