Explorations of a German fairytale castle.
Schloss Schwerin (Schwerin Castle) was once the home of dukes of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, on the coast of the Baltic Sea. It was once a standard castle, with piecemeal additions and renovations until the 19th century. The castle was in bad shape so it had to be remodeled. Luckily, fairytale castles were very popular in Germany at the time.
The castle (more like a palace) is based on French Renaissance era castles. You’ve definitely have seen other castles also using the same style. Cinderella’s castle at Disney World/land anyone? OK, fine, that’s not a real castle but Schloss Schwerin sure looks like it belongs in a fairytale.
Jana Irving As I was saying.
Schloss Schwerin was built on an island in a lake. Extensive gardens and other fine buildings were built close by. Unfortunately the weather was horrible and I only saw a bit of the gardens.
Jana Irving It’s got turrets and everything!
Jana Irving The bastions were built in the 16th century when defensive features were still needed.
Jana Irving Neo-Gothic part of the chapel sticking out.
Jana Irving Looking out at Lake Schwerin.
Jana Irving In the back, you can see two sections of older buildings that were not demolished to build the new castle.
Jana Irving There’s this orangery like area below the castle.
Jana Irving Which faces a peristyle that looks out into the lake. I took the photo two photos ago from up at the top.
Jana Irving Not over the top. Nope, not all.
Jana Irving Gorgeous building.
Jana Irving The palace gardens are located off the palace island. I would have explored that if it wasn’t rainy and windy.
Now for the inside. Part of the palace burned down in 1913. There was some reconstruction until 1918. Today, the castle hosts the parliament for the state of German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Thankfully, some really gorgeous rooms were still saved in the ducal residence.
Jana Irving Sagenzimmer (the Legend Room)’s theme is medieval epic poems. I guess that explains the Ancient Roman soldiers on the doorframes. Yeah, not really.
Jana Irving The Legends are on the ceiling. The center fresco didn’t survive the 1913 fire.
Jana Irving The Ancient Roman theme continues in the Leanderzimmer (Leander Room).
Jana Irving Speisezimmer (Dining Room) was actually used as a writing room.
Jana Irving This room is gorgeous.
Jana Irving That floor!
Jana Irving This is a hallway. There is a fireplace in the hallway.
Jana Irving I can see why they call this room the Rote Audienz (Red Audience).
Jana Irving Teezimmer (Tea Room).
Jana Irving That ceiling is amazing.
Jana Irving Flumenzimmer (Flower Cabinet) is in the large tower in the back of the palace.
Jana Irving Another gorgeous ceiling.
Jana Irving Wohnzimmer (Parlor) was restored in 1989-1991 using materials that were removed before 1918.
Jana Irving The room seems to be less elaborate than some of the other rooms until you look at the wood ceiling.
Jana Irving And the shelf that runs around the room. Each paring is different. There are some baby and lion heads on other rooms.
Jana Irving This is what the castle looked like before the 19th century rebuilding.
Jana Irving The Library. Those cabinets are bookshelves.
Jana Irving Even more bookcases.
Jana Irving The Throne Hall.
Jana Irving Very fancy.
Jana Irving Ahnengalerie (Ancestral Portrait Gallery) has portraits of the Mecklenburg-Schwerin family.
Jana Irving Back outside to see the courtyard.
Jana Irving This palace is insane.
Schloss Schwerin is easily reached by train from Hamburg. The town itself is pretty cute. 37 buildings in town and the palace itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, designated in 2024. I didn’t include everything in Schloss Schwerin, so there is even more amazingness, plus the palace gardens.
Tune in for my next update where I explore the last stop on my trip, Hamburg!
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Start at the beginning of this European adventure!
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