On 26 November, I gave this one-hour presentation at U3A Brisbane about my visit to two of Germany’s oldest castles in June/July 2024.
The first is the castle of Meersburg, on the southern end of Germany;
the second is the castle of Schwerin, in the northeast of Germany.
 |
| Meersburg bordering Switzerland, Schwerin near the Baltic Sea |
Meersburg
Since two important people lived in Meersburg Castle respectively in the 15th and 19th centuries, I will focus on them and their legacy.
Roman Times
Going back in history, from the first century BCE to the third century CE, the region about the Bodensee was part of the vast Roman Empire.
 |
| Roman walls and legion encampments |
During the first millennium, the Alemanni or Alamanni, a
confederation of Germanic tribes, settled in the area on the Upper Rhine River.
The Alemanni captured the Agri Decumates in 260 after Emperor Gallienus’
evacuation.
The Decumates Agri (Decumatian Fields) was a region of the Roman Empire’s Germania Superior and Raetia provinces, covering the Black Forest and the areas between the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers.
 |
| Emperor Aurelian (214-275) |
Germanic peoples have continuously inhabited the region since then. However, Roman settlements were not immediately abandoned. There is evidence that the Roman way of life continued well into the 5th century, much as Roman patterns continued in neighbouring Gaul long after the Western Roman Empire's collapse.
The Alemanni expanded into present-day Alsace and northern Switzerland, leading to the establishment of the Old High German language in those regions, which by the 8th C were collectively referred to as Alamannia.
The lake’s crossing from Meersburg is favourable when journeying to the south, making it an important trading route junction for travellers from the north. They crossed the lake to Konstanz by boat and then travelled over the Alps to Italy.
Meersburg Castle
Meersburg is considered the oldest inhabited castle in
Germany, dating back to 628. Two theories exist about its construction:
The first lists the Merovingian king Dagobert I
(608/610?-639), who has been Unterkönig ‘subking’ of Austrien since 623 and
king of Franconia since 629. He was traditionally considered to be the last
remarkable ruler of the Merovingians.
 |
| Gold coin depicting Dagobert I |
The Merovingians were Franconia's oldest royal dynasty from the 5th century until 751, when the Carolingians replaced them. According to the first theory, Dagobert built the ‘Dagoberttower’, the castle's belfry.
Probably made of timber, in the year 630, the tower was built as a defence hub for traders and travellers. He chose this site on a high molasse wall rock, as it was a strategically important staging post. It is known that Dagobert was busy with the Christianisation of the Alemanni during this time in the region of the Bodensee. This quoted source dates to the year 1548.
The ‘Merdesburch’ was officially mentioned for the first
time in 1147. In 1113, Luitpolt de Merdesburch was named a witness in
documents concerning the dukes Berthold and Konrad von Zähringen.
The second theory is based on architectural history. The
megalithic block masonry of the Dagoberttower, with numerous belfries, can be
compared to those of the 12th to 13th centuries. Modern
investigations consider the wall bond of giant boulders as a local variation of
humpback masonry.
This second theory about Meersburg’s construction
contradicts the first and is based on the observation that no castle
foundations were recorded in the Bodensee region in the 7th century. In
contrast, many were recorded in the 12th and early 13th centuries. As mentioned
above, many architectural similarities to the castles of the regions of
this latter period are evident. Thus, this theory delegates the first version
to that of a legend.
But then, what is the difference of 400 years in the history of humanity if you can claim to be the oldest castle? The fact is that in the following years, Friedrich II (1194-1250) and Konradin (1252-1268), the last legitimate male of the Staufer (Staufers), were in Meersburg Castle.
 |
| King Konrad with his friend Friedrich Falk hunting |
Several times Meersburg castle was besieged. In 1334, after a double election, two bishops fought for leadership. Nikolaus von Frauenfeld (1288-1344), had been elected by the papal favoured majority with the support of Pope Johannes XXII (1244-1334), while Albrecht von Hohenberg (1303?-1359) had the support of Emperor Ludwig, the Bavarian.
 |
| Emperor Ludwig Gothic epitaph in red marble (Munich Frauenkirche) |
 |
| Miniature de Jean XXII en 1316 |
Emperor Ludwig had to accept a political defeat in
Meersburg that influenced his politics in Swabia and, therefore, strengthened
the position of the Habsburgers.
The Habsburgers
Here, we deviate briefly to the history of The Habsburgers since they formed a powerful empire that lasted until 1918. They are a European princely dynasty originating in the present-day Swiss canton of Aargau, near Zűrich. Around 1027, Radbot (985-1045) founded the Benedikt monastery Muri with his wife Ita von Lothringen (995-1035). As the centre for power, Radbot built Castle Habsburg around 1020.
The Habsburgers built more castles, and Otto Habsburg (†1111)
was the first to call himself ‘von’ Habsburg.
 |
| Territorial claims of the Habsburger around 1200 |
Rudolf I (1218-1291) was the first Roman-German Emperor from the
house of Habsburg. He had been King since 1273 and established the regional
significance of his dynasty.
 |
| King Rudolf I |
 |
| Seal of Emperor Rudolf I von Habsburg |
 |
| Coat of Arms of the House of Habsburg |
 |
Regional reign of the Habsburgers in 1556 of the Old World During the 11th and 12th centuries,
the Habsburgers extended their territories. From their domestic power of Austria, they expanded their reign over countries like Hungary, Bohemia, parts of Italy and the Netherlands and the kingdoms of Spain and Portugal with their colonial realms of America, Africa and Asia. |
 |
| Growth of the Habsburg monarchy in Central Europe 1282-1815 (created 1911) |
They became one of the most influential royal families in
the late Middle Ages.
Until the end of the Holy Roman Empire, they produced 21
kings and emperors, including 4 of Austria from 1804 to 1918.
Meersburg castle
Returning to Meersburg, in 1390, Bishop Burkhard von Hewen built the castle chapel. In 1414, Emperor Sigismund stayed in Meersburg castle while attending Konstanz's Konzil (Concilium).*
 |
| Konzil building of Konstanz 2024 |
The Concilium of Konstanz took place in Konstanz from 5 November 1414 to 22 April 1418. It was an assembly of the church’s leaders instigated by the Roman-German King Sigismund and the Gegenpabst (counterpope) Johannes XXIII.
Archbishop Otto III von Hachberg hosted it.
Western Schism
Concerning the first issue, the assembly intended to end the
prevailing fighting about the Great Western World Schism.
This Schism was a temporary division of faith within the Latin Church between competing papal demands in Rome and Avignon from 1378 to 1417. Contrary to other Schisms, this did not occur through the interference of a worldly ruler but within the church itself. It was mainly a problem between France and Italy, although it affected the whole Western world.
In 1378, dissatisfied with Roman Pope Urban VI's governance, the cardinals elected their colleague Robert von Genf, in Fondi, near Rome, as counter-pope Clemens VII. In doing so, they triggered the Western world schism, the division within the Latin church. This signified not only a religious division of Catholic Christianity. It drew a political polarisation of both camps, frequently resulting in warlike confrontations.
Even the death of a pope in the following years did not lead to a reunification, as the cardinals who supported their respective popes chose a successor from within their own ranks.
In 1409, at the council of Pisa, the cardinals, who had abandoned ‘both’ popes, declared the two competing representatives of Christ as deposed and elected another pope, Alexander V. However, this act did not eliminate the church division. Instead, the ‘wicked duality’ became the ‘damned trinity’ (trinitas non benedicta, sed maledicta).
The territorial situation during the Western world schisms (1378-1417) was such that, when King Sigismund assumed office, the three popes, Gregor XII (Rome), Benedikt XIII (Avignon), and Johannes XXIII (Pisa), argued about the church's leadership.
 |
| Portrait of Gregory XII (as Gregory I the Great) |
 |
| Portrait du Antipape Benoit XIII (comme Saint Pierre) |
 |
| Johannes XXIII (Gegenpabst) |
Since the three were respectively supported in their claims by different rulers in Europe, this turmoil threatened the realm from the inside and outside. As bailiff and protector (advocates et defensor ecclesiae), the Roman-German King Sigismund became the driving force for a church council that was supposed to end the Western world schism.
 |
| Emperor Sigismund (1368-1437) |
The Pisan Pope Johannes XXIII, who hoped to emerge as the sole pope during this council, suggested his sanctuary be Bologna. After lengthy negotiations and under Sigismund’s pressure, the parties finally settled on neutral Konstanz.
Another point of negotiation concerned reforms within the
church, the pope's dominance over the council, and the doctrine of fighting
heresy efficiently.
Johannes XXIII was the only Pope to arrive in Konstanz and to open the Council on 5 November 1414. The only bishops present were his supporters. At the end of 1414, King Sigismund arrived at the Council.
In consultation with some influential theologists, Sigismund determined the rules of procedure according to nations (nationes) and not, as had been custom, according to heads. He did this to circumvent the dominance of Italian bishops. The nations included: Italica, Gallicana, Germania, Scandinavians, Poles, Lithuanians, Hungarians, Bohemians, Anglica and Hispanica.
 |
| Emperor Sigismund (top) His second wife, Barbara of Celie, and their daughter, Elizabeth of Luxembourg, at the Council of Constance |
Many members of the new assembly (comparatively few bishops, but many doctors of theology and of canon and civil law, procurators of bishops, deputies of universities, cathedral chapters, provosts, etc., agents and representatives of princes, etc.) strongly favoured the voluntary abdication of all three popes, as did King Sigismund.
 |
| Council session in the Konzil building of Konstanz |
Although many Italian bishops accompanying John XXIII supported his legitimacy, he grew increasingly suspicious of the council, partly in response to an Italian source's fierce anonymous attack on his character.
On 2 March 1415, he promised to resign. However, on 20 March, he secretly fled the city and took refuge at Schaffhausen in the territory of his friend Frederick, Duke of Austria-Tyrol.
Haec Sancta Synodus
Haec Sancta is generally considered invalid by the Catholic Church today, as it asserts the Council's supremacy over the Roman Pontiff. Gregory XII was the legitimate pope then, and the council passed the decree in a session before his confirmation. While Rome itself came to reject the provisions made by the council, significant parts of the Church, notably in France, continued to uphold the validity of its decisions long after the event: Haec Sancta was reaffirmed in the Gallican Articles of 1682 and even during the First Vatican Council of 1869–70.
Despite the definitive rejection of conciliarism at the First Vatican Council, the debate over the status of Constance was renewed in the 20th century. In the 1960s, in the context of the Second Vatican Council, the reformist Catholic theologian Hans Kűng and the historian Paul de Vooght argued in defence of the dogmatic character of Haec Sancta, suggesting that its terms could be reconciled with the definition of papal supremacy at Vatican I. However, the debate over Haec sancta subsided in the 1970s without resolution.
Ending the Western Schism
As a solution to the papal leadership stalemate, with the support of King Sigismund, enthroned before the high altar of the Cathedral of Constance, the Council of Constance recommended that all three papal claimants abdicate and another be chosen. In part because of the king's constant presence, other rulers demanded that they have a say in who would be pope.
King Sigismund and the assembled bishops received the delegates, and the King gave the papal legates the presidency of the proceedings. The cardinals then read a decree of Gregory XII, which convened the council and authorised its succeeding acts. Thereupon, the bishops voted.
By the time the anti-popes were all deposed and the new Pope, Martin V, was elected, two years had passed since Gregory XII's abdication, and Gregory was already dead.
 |
| Papa Martino V |
The council took great care to protect the legitimacy of the succession, ratified all his acts, and chose a new pontiff. The new pope, Martin V, elected in November 1417, soon asserted the absolute authority of the papal office. Although Pope Martin V did not directly challenge the council's decrees, his successor Eugenius IV repudiated an attempt by a faction at the Council of Basel to declare the provisions of Haec Sancta a matter of faith.
Jan Hus and the reforming humanists
We now see the third and most reprehensible act executed during the Council of Konstanz: The council aimed to continue the reforms that had begun at the Council of Pisa (1409). These reforms were primarily directed against John Wycliffe (c 1328-1384), mentioned in the Council’s opening session and condemned on 4 May 1415, and Jan Hus, along with their followers.
 |
| Portrait of John Wycliffe by Bernard Picart, showing the burning of his works (1714) |
 |
| Jan Hus, scan of a woodcut by Christoph Murer 1587 |
Alexander V issued a papal bull excommunicating Hus; however, it was not enforced, and Hus continued to preach. Hus then spoke out against Alexander V's successor, Antipope Johannes XXIII, for selling indulgences. Hus' excommunication was enforced, and he spent the next two years living in exile.
When the Council of Konstanz assembled, Hus was asked, with a promise of safe conduct, to present his views on the dissent within the Church. But, when Hus arrived, he was arrested and put in prison. He was eventually taken in front of the council and asked to recant his views. Hus refused.
 |
| Painting of Jan Hus before the Council of Constance by Václav Brožik |
On 6 July 1415, the secular court sentenced him to be burned to death at the stake for heresy against the teachings of the Catholic Church.
 |
| Jan Hus burning at the stake, Jena codex (c 1500) |
 |
| 16th C Engraving of Jerome of Prague from Theodore Beza's Icones |
Italian scholar and early Renaissance humanist Poggio Bracciolini (1380-1459) attended the council and related the unfairness of the process against Jerome. To no avail.
After Hus was executed, the followers of his religious teachings (known as Hussites) refused to elect another Catholic monarch and defeated five consecutive papal crusades between 1420 and 1431 in what became known as the Hussite Wars.
 |
| The monument in Konstanz, where reformer Jan Hus was executed |
A Protestant defeat in the Battle of White Mountain resulted in the Lands of the Bohemian Crown coming under Habsburg dominion for the next 300 years, being subject to immediate and forced conversion in an intense campaign of return to Catholicism.
 |
| Painting celebrating the Catholic victory at the Battle of the White Mountain (1641)* |
Back to Meersburg
After conflicts with the city of Konstanz in 1526, the stepped roof line of the tower was added by the Konstanz prince bishop Hugo von Hohenlandenberg (official office 1496-1532). The castle remained the bishops' primary residence. In 1647, during the Thirty-Year War, Swedes set fire to the roof structure.
 |
| Knight in shining armour |
 |
| Castle entrance |
 |
| more knights in shining armours |
 |
| weaponry |
 |
| lone knight in living room |
 |
| more weaponry |
 |
| change from armoury into casual outfit |
 |
| night light in the hallway |
 |
| more night light in the hallway |
 |
| hallway steps to the floor below |
Annette von Droste-Hűlshoff
We now come to one of the most famous inhabitants up to the present times of Meersburg, the Baroness Annette von Droste-Hűlshoff (1797-1848), the sister of Jenny.
 |
| Annette von Droste-Hűlshoff, Portrait by Johann Sprick, 1838 |
She still entices many admirers of her works to the Bodensee,
and her prose and poems form part of the school curriculum in the state of
Baden-Wűrttemberg today.
In an article for the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia, Francis Joste wrote,
"The fame of the poetess rests chiefly on her lyric
poems, pastorales, and ballads. In the poetic representation of nature, few can
equal her. Her poetical works are imperishable.
What makes them so is their originality, the proof that
they are the works of a genius. It is this too that gained for their author the
well-earned title of 'Germany's greatest poetess.'"
 |
| Statue of Annette von Droste-Hülshoff in Meersburg, dated 1898 |
Annette von Droste-Hülshoff was born at the castle of Burg Hülshoff (near Műnster). Her family belonged to Westphalia's oldest Roman Catholic aristocracy. Her father was a learned man interested in ancient history and languages, and her mother came from another aristocratic Westphalian family.
Annette was born one month prematurely and only saved by
the intervention of a nurse. She suffered from health problems throughout her
life, including headaches and eye troubles.
Droste was educated by private tutors in ancient languages, French, natural history, mathematics, and music (she inherited considerable musical talent from her father). She began to write as a child and was in contact with celebrated cultural figures, like the Brothers Grimm, Clemens Brentano, Friedrich Schlegel, Adele, and Johanna Schopenhauer.
 |
| Jugendbilddnis der Dichterin, vermutlich von ihrer Schwester Jenny |
From 1819 to 1820, Annette became romantically involved with Heinrich Straube (1794-1847), a Lutheran law student with literary interests who was a friend of her uncle.
What happened next is unclear, but it appears that Annette's Aunt, Baroness Anna von Haxthausen (who was, in fact, four years her junior), and other relatives disapproved of Annette's decision to have a serious relationship with a commoner. For this reason, her aunt masterminded a society intrigue intended to destroy the relationship in a very public manner.
 |
| August von Arnswaldt (1798-1855) |
While Straube was away pursuing his legal studies at the University of Göttingen, August von Arnswaldt, a Lutheran aristocrat with literary ambitions, pretended to pursue Annette romantically. At first, flattered by his attentions, Annette indicated she was in love with him before telling him she was committed to Heinrich Straube.
However, it was too late by this time, as von Arnswaldt had all the 'evidence' he needed. He travelled to Göttingen and gave Straube proof of Annette's 'behaviour'. The two men wrote a joint letter breaking off all contact with her. She never saw either man again.
 |
| Annette, torn between Heinrich and August. Caricature by Ludwig Emil Grimm, 1820 |
In a postscript, a few years later, August von Arnswaldt married the widowed Baroness Anna von Haxthausen, the ringleader of the intrigue. Straube became a lawyer in Kassel and married in 1824. When he died in 1847, a lock of Annette's hair was found among his possessions.
The ensuing scandal was a catastrophe for Annette,
severely damaging her reputation and marriage prospects. Feeling betrayed by
the role that her own relatives had played, Annette refused to visit their
castle for the next 18 years.
From 1841, Annette lived with her sister and brother-in-law in Meersburg Castle, where she had her own apartment encompassing a tower with extensive views over the lake. Here, she wrote her works and received remuneration.
 |
| Annette's living room |
Her income was sufficient to buy the nearby little princely house surrounded by vineyards. She spent happy hours there.
 |
| Annette's princely house |
 |
| The room where Annette died in the Castle of Meersburg |
Annette’s legacy lives on, and every year, literary events celebrate the works of this poet.
Today, you can visit Meersburg and wander through her
apartment and other castle attractions.
 |
| refined living |
 |
| cosy... |
 |
| getting sophisticated |
 |
| more men shed |
 |
| anyone for a get-together? |
 |
| timber ceiling over corner oven |
 |
| getting dinner ready |
 |
| heat up the oven |
 |
| baking the patisserie |
 |
| bathing options before dinner |
 |
| departing the castle |
 |
| Schwerin Castle |
 |
| Schwerin Castle is built on an island in the city's main lake, Lake Schwerin |
The first records of a structure at this location date from 973. It was a fort belonging to the Polabian Slav tribe of the Obotrites on an island in the large lake of Schwerin.
 |
| Expansion of the Obotritic confederation under Prince Thrasco (†809) after victory over the Nordalbingian Saxons |
History of the Polabian Slavs
Polabian Slavs is an umbrella term for all the various Slavic tribes that dwelt on the westernmost reaches of the Slavic habitation alongside the river Elbe in today’s Eastern Germany. The name is derived from the Slavic, po + labe, meaning ‘by the River Elbe’. The territory of these tribes spanned from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Elbe and Saale rivers in the west, up to the Lower Jutland peninsula in the north-west, and south towards the regions of the Czechs and Poles.
The Obotrites, or Obodrites also spelled Abodrites, were
a confederation of medieval West Slavic tribes within the territory of modern
Mecklenburg and Holstein in northern Germany.
Under Prince Thrasco, the Obotrites defeated the Saxons in the Battle of Bornhöved (near present Neuműnster) (798). For decades, they were allies of Charlemagne in his wars against the Germanic Saxons and the Slavic Veleti.
 |
| Sketch thought to be of Charlemagne, c 800 |
A skilled military strategist, he spent much of his reign engaged in warfare to accomplish his goals. In 800, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne Holy Roman Emperor. In this role, he encouraged the Carolingian Renaissance, a European cultural and intellectual revival from the mid-8th to the 9th century.
 |
| Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne* |
*From Chroniques de France ou de Saint Denis, volume 1, France, the second quarter of the 14th century
Charlemagne dispersed the still-pagan Saxons. In 804, the Obotrites were awarded part of their former land in Holstein, north of the Elbe, as a reward for their victory over the Saxons. When he died in 814, Charlemagne’s empire encompassed much of Western Europe.
Today, Charlemagne is referred to by some as the father
of Europe.
The first records of Schwerin Castle date from 973. A fort belonging to the Obotrites was located on the island in the large lake of Schwerin. Remember, Charlemagne rewarded the Obotrites for their victory in 804.
 |
| Exposed Slavic castle mound c 973 |
 |
| 1157 bracteate* depicting Valdemar and his wife, Sophia |
During that campaign, the Obotrite chieftain Niklot was killed, and Niklot’s sons engineered a widespread revolt against Saxon rule in 1163. The territory of the Obotrites was predominantly partitioned between Saxon lords, but Niklot’s son, Pribislav, continued to fight Henry.
 |
| Statue of the Obotrite Prince Niklot at the entrance to the Castle |
The city of Schwerin was founded in the same
year and became the seat of a bishopric. The rest of the country
around the city was returned to Pribislav, forming a hereditary ducal line that
lasted until 1918.
In 1353, the County of Schwerin was purchased by the
descendants of Niklot, who had been elevated to Dukes of Mecklenburg in 1348.
They soon relocated further inland from Mikelenburg, near Wismar, to Schwerin.
During the late Gothic era, the growing prosperity and
position of the dukes led to an increasing need for a representative castle,
which meant architectural changes to the fortress settlement. Remnants from the
Bishop’s House from that period remain.
Renaissance (15th–18th centuries)
 |
| The fortified castle and its bastions, 1617 |
Under John Albert I, Duke of Mecklenburg (1525–1576), the
building experienced essential changes. The fort became a palace, and its
defensive functionality was replaced with ornamentation and concessions to
comfort. During the Renaissance, terracotta dominated North German
architecture, and Lübeck supplied Schwerin's terracotta.
A few years after reworking the main building itself,
from 1560 to 1563, John Albert rebuilt the palace's chapel. It became the
state's first new Protestant church. Churches inspired the architecture in
Torgau and Dresden.
The early Venetian Renaissance gate, its gable showing the carrying of the cross, was made by Hans Walther (1526–1600), a sculptor from Dresden. Windows on the northern face show biblical illustrations by Flemish artist Willem van den Broecke (also known as "Paludanus"; 1530–1579).
 |
| The Elevation of the Brazen Serpent by Willem van den Broecke in the chapel |
 |
| Schwerin Castle in 1653 |
Before the Thirty Years’ War, the architect Ghert Evert Piloot, who had entered Mecklenburg's service in 1612, made plans to completely rebuild the palace in the style of the Renaissance in the Low Countries. Work began in 1617 under his supervision but soon had to cease because of the war.
Piloot’s plans were partially realised between 1635 and 1643: the house above the palatial kitchen and that above the chapel were razed and given Dutch Renaissance style façades. During this period, a half-timbered building was constructed near the chapel to house the archducal collection of paintings. Also, the Teepavillon (tea house) was built. The court moved to Ludwigslust Palace in 1756.
 |
| Ludwiglust Palace |
Ludwiglust is part of the Hamburg Metropolitan Region. The former royal residential town is known for its rich heritage, especially the famous Palace, referred to as Versailles of the North.
19th century onward
In 1837, the ducal residence moved back to Schwerin, but
the building was in relatively bad condition, and the Grand Duke disliked the
individual buildings' incongruent origins and architectural styles.
 |
| Schwerin Castle just before the start of the transformation: 1845 |
Grand Duke Friedrich (1800–1842) instructed his architect, Georg Adolph Demmler (1804–1886), to remodel the palace to include elements from French Renaissance castles.
 |
| Georg Adolph Demmler; by Pauline Soltau (1873) |
However, the Grand Duke’s successor, Friedrich Franz II (1823–1883), halted construction, wanting a complete reconstruction of the historic site. Only some parts of the building dating from the 16th and 17th centuries were retained. Significant parts of the current palace were built between 1845 and 1857 as a collaboration between the eminent historicist architects Demmler, Gottfried Semper, Friedrich August Stűler, and Ernst Friedrich Zwirner.
During the German revolutions of 1848-1849, Demmler became involved in controversial issues regarding the Grand Duchy's constitution. Some progress was made on the Castle’s renovations, but reactionaries in the nobility were able to roll back changes, so in 1851, Demmler was accused of disloyalty.
Shortly after, he resigned from his official positions and was dismissed without a pension. Luckily, he still had some inheritance and was friendly with Grand Duke Frederick Francis. His work on Schwerin Castle, which had occupied him for over a decade, was now completed by Friedrich August Stűler.
 |
| Schwerin Palace seen from the waterside, 2012 |
 |
| statue of Prince Niklot |
A fire destroyed about a third of the palace in December
1913. Only the exterior reconstruction had been completed when the revolution
of 1918 resulted in the abdication of the Grand Duke. The castle later became a
museum and, in 1948, the seat of the state parliament.
The German Democratic Republic used the palace as a college for kindergarten teachers from 1952 to 1981. Then it was a museum again until 1993. The Orangerie had been a technical museum since 1961. From 1974 on, some renovated rooms were used as an art museum.
 |
| The Orangerie |
Since late 1990, it has once again been the seat of the Landtag (the state assembly of the State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern). Since then, massive preservation and renovation efforts have been made. Most of these were finished by 2019.
 |
| The Grand Duke's throne |
The castle is regarded as one of the most important works of Romantic historicism in Europe and is nicknamed the ‘Neuschwanstein of the North’. In 2023, Schwerin Castle was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Ghost of Petermännchen
 |
| Petermännchen, an 1856 sculpture by Heinrich Petters at Schwerin Palace |
Like all decent castles, Schwerin has a little ghostly inhabitant. The ghost Petermännchen (little Peterman) is said to roam the halls of Schweriner Castle. This invisible little creature is said to be no more than a few feet high and is often depicted in 17th-century clothes resembling a cavalier.
Other legends describe him as a long-bearded blacksmith,
night watchman, or prankster to those seeking to harm or steal from the castle.
The inscribed Latin phrase 'Quid si sic' is a conditional
clause that means "what if so":
 |
| Main entrance before crossing the bridge |
 |
| Aerial image of Schwerin Castle (view from the east) |
 |
| one of the many towers |
 |
| Castle garden with bridge over water features |
 |
| garden sculptures with water features Danke schön! |