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.
Wandering Jana 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.
Wandering Jana It’s got turrets and everything!
Wandering Jana The bastions were built in the 16th century when defensive features were still needed.
Wandering Jana Neo-Gothic part of the chapel sticking out.
Wandering Jana Looking out at Lake Schwerin.
Wandering Jana In the back, you can see two sections of older buildings that were not demolished to build the new castle.
Wandering Jana There’s this orangery like area below the castle.
Wandering Jana Which faces a peristyle that looks out into the lake. I took the photo two photos ago from up at the top.
Wandering Jana Not over the top. Nope, not all.
Wandering Jana Gorgeous building.
Wandering Jana 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.
Wandering Jana Sagenzimmer (the Legend Room)’s theme is medieval epic poems. I guess that explains the Ancient Roman soldiers on the doorframes. Yeah, not really.
Wandering Jana The Legends are on the ceiling. The center fresco didn’t survive the 1913 fire.
Wandering Jana The Ancient Roman theme continues in the Leanderzimmer (Leander Room).
Wandering Jana Speisezimmer (Dining Room) was actually used as a writing room.
Wandering Jana This room is gorgeous.
Wandering Jana That floor!
Wandering Jana This is a hallway. There is a fireplace in the hallway.
Wandering Jana I can see why they call this room the Rote Audienz (Red Audience).
Wandering Jana Teezimmer (Tea Room).
Wandering Jana That ceiling is amazing.
Wandering Jana Flumenzimmer (Flower Cabinet) is in the large tower in the back of the palace.
Wandering Jana Another gorgeous ceiling.
Wandering Jana Wohnzimmer (Parlor) was restored in 1989-1991 using materials that were removed before 1918.
Wandering Jana The room seems to be less elaborate than some of the other rooms until you look at the wood ceiling.
Wandering Jana And the shelf that runs around the room. Each paring is different. There are some baby and lion heads on other rooms.
Wandering Jana This is what the castle looked like before the 19th century rebuilding.
Wandering Jana The Library. Those cabinets are bookshelves.
Wandering Jana Even more bookcases.
Jana Irving The Throne Hall.
Wandering Jana Very fancy.
Wandering Jana Ahnengalerie (Ancestral Portrait Gallery) has portraits of the Mecklenburg-Schwerin family.
Wandering Jana Back outside to see the courtyard.
Wandering Jana 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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