Exploring The Royal Residence at Hohenschwangau Castle

If you’ve been to Castle Neuschwanstein, you wouldn’t have missed out on Hohenschwangau Castle. Also located on a hill top between the Alpsee and Schwansee, this castle is situated slightly to the South of Castle Neuschwanstein. It is acquired by the father of Ludwig II, Maximilian II, and rebuilt from 1832 in the Gothic style.

Hohenschwangau Castle is one of the four famous castles attributed to the “Mad” King Ludwig. It is the smallest of the four castles, but boasts a homely atmosphere, setting it apart from his other castles which are colder and more formal. Unfortunately, strictly no photography is allowed when you’re touring the castle interior. That explains why you only get to see exterior shots on my website. If you’re interested in getting a glimpse of how life was like for the royalties, you have to join a guided tour. Tickets for the tour can be purchased from the Hohenschwangau Village Castle Ticketing Centre which is a stone’s throw away from the castle.

The existence of Hohenschwangau Castle was first documented in the 12th century. Until 1535, it belonged to the knights of Schwangau. During the Napoleonic wars, it was destroyed. The ruins were bought in 1832 by Crown Prince Maximilian who reconstructed the Castle, and the family used it as a vacation home. Following the death of King Maximilian II, it became the home of King Ludwig II and his mother.

Although Hohenschwangau Castle doesn’t exude the same grand, dreamy, and romantic vibes as that of its magnificent neighbor, this castle quickly became one of the favoured homes of the Royal family. Every summer, King Maximilian would bring his Queen Marie, and their two little princes, Otto and Ludwig, to the castle. They would stay for a few weeks, with the King occupying himself with hunting while the Queen went hiking. She would also take her two princes to feed the swans at Schwansee, the Alpine lake.

Since 1923, the castle is in the custody of the Wittelbacher Ausgleichsfonds, a state foundation set up to administer the property of the former Bavarian ruling house. I highly recommend paying a visit to Hohenschwangau Castle, as I personally prefer this to Castle Neuschwanstein. It doesn’t feel as unwelcoming as its neighbour, and its interior is more attractive as compared to its neighbour.

Hohenschwangau Castle Details
Address: Aplseestasse 30, 87645 Schwangau
Opening Hours:
1 April to 15 October 2017 8am to 5pm
16 October to 31 December 2017 9am to 3pm
Contact: +49 8362 930 830
Website: https://www.hohenschwangau.de/
Entrance Fees: 13Euros (Regular), 12Euros (Reduced), free entry for children and young people under 18 years old