Hohenschwangau

Hohenschwangau Castle is a 19th-century palace, built by King Maximilian II of Bavaria.

A medieval fortress had existed on the hill above lake Alpsee. The Lords sold the castle to the wealthy merchant Johann Paumgartner. He started the reconstruction. Paumgartner´s sons sold the rebuilt castle to Maximilian I, Elector of Bavaria.

King Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria sold the castle in 1820, but already 12 years later his grandson Maximilian II of Bavaria bought it back. In 1833, the reconstruction of the castle began, continuing until 1837, with additions up to 1855. The first architect Domenico Quaglio, responsible for the neogothic style, was followed by Joseph Daniel Ohlmüller and Georg Friedrich Ziebland.

Hohenschwangau was the summer and hunting residence of Maximilian and his family. His son Ludwig succeeded Maximilian to the throne. King Ludwig enjoyed living in Hohenschwangau.

Today the palace is a museum, visited by more than 300,000 visitors each year.