Schwerin Castle

　　Schwerin Castle is an island palace situated in the city center of Schwerin, Germany. For a long time, it was the royal palace of the Dukes and Grand Dukes of Mecklenburg. Today, it houses the parliament of the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

　　This royal palace was gradually formed through continuous renovations and expansions over more than a thousand years. Its circular structure is the remnant of the original Slavic fortress walls, which were first built on a small island in Lake Schwerin around the year 965. From around 1500 onward, numerous documents and images recorded the transformations of the castle and palace. The present-day Schwerin Castle primarily dates from 1845 to 1857, when it was redesigned and expanded on the foundation of the old palace, and is considered a masterpiece of Romantic Historicism architecture. During the renovation, French Renaissance palaces served as models, and many details reminiscent of the Château de Chambord on the Loire River can also be found in Schwerin Castle.

　　Schwerin Castle is located on a small island in Lake Schwerin, exuding a romantic atmosphere that is both dreamlike and majestic. The fairytale-like Schwerin Castle, with its golden dome and towering spires, together with the surrounding Lake Schwerin, forms a top photography destination. The castle museum is also not to be missed. Strolling through the castle gardens, designed in the style of an English garden, and the Baroque palace gardens is also a wonderful experience.

　　Schwerin Castle Reason to visit: One of Europe’s most important examples of Historicism architecture Continent: Europe Country/Region: Germany Province/State: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania City: Schwerin