Hohenschwangau Castle
This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
|
Hohenschwangau Castle | |
---|---|
Schloss Hohenschwangau | |
General information | |
Type | Castle |
Location | Hohenschwangau near the town of Füssen, part of the county of Ostallgäu in southwestern Bavaria, Germany |
Coordinates | 47°33′20″N 10°44′10″E / 47.55557°N 10.73605°E |
Owner | Duke of Bavaria |
Hohenschwangau Castle (German: Schloss Hohenschwangau) is a 19th-century palace in southern Germany. It was built by King Maximilian II of Bavaria, and was the childhood residence of his son, King Ludwig II of Bavaria. It is located in the German village of Hohenschwangau near the town of Füssen, part of the county of Ostallgäu in southwestern Bavaria, Germany, very close to the border with Austria.
History
The fortress Schwangau (literally translated the Swan District), which was first mentioned in historical records dating from the 12th century, stood high up on a rock on the site of the present 19th-century
The present day Hohenschwangau ("Upper Schwangau") castle was first mentioned in 1397, though under the name of Schwanstein. Only in the 19th century the names of the two castles have switched. It was built on a hill above lake Alpsee, below the older fortress. Between 1440 and 1521 the Lords had to sell their fief with
The Wittelsbachs used the castle for bear hunting or as a retreat for agnatic princes. In 1743 it was plundered by Austrian troops. In the
Hohenschwangau was the official summer and hunting residence of Maximilian, his wife
King Maximilian died in 1864 and his son Ludwig succeeded to the throne, moving into his father's room in the castle. As Ludwig never married, his mother Marie was able to continue living on her floor during the summer months. King Ludwig enjoyed living in Hohenschwangau, however mostly in the absence of his disliked mother, especially after 1869 when the building of his own castle,
After Ludwig's death in 1886, Queen Marie was the castle's only resident until she in turn died in 1889. Her brother-in-law, Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria, lived on the 3rd floor of the main building. He was responsible for the electrification in 1905 and the installation of an electric elevator. Luitpold died in 1912 and the palace was opened as a museum during the following year.
During
More than 300,000 visitors from all over the world visit the palace each year. The castle is open all through the year (except for Christmas). Opening hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (April through September) and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (October through March). Guided tours are provided in German, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Czech, Slovenian, and Japanese. Self-guided tours are not available.
-
Drawing by Frederik Hansen Sødring, 1843
-
View from Hohenschwangau up to Neuschwanstein
-
View down on Hohenschwangau from Neuschwanstein
-
Gate
-
Towers
-
Swan fountain
-
Ball room
-
Salon
References
- ^ Hans F. Nöhbauer: Auf den Spuren König Ludwigs II. (München, Prestel Verlag, 3. ed. 2007) p. 81ff.
External links
- Official homepage (in English)
- Information for tourists
- Ticket information