Schwerin Castle: A Historic Residence and Seat of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Parliament
Visitor Information
Google Rating: 4.7
Popularity: Very High
Official Website: www.mv-schloesser.de
Country: Germany
Civilization: Early Modern, Medieval European, Modern
Site type: Domestic
Remains: Palace
History
Schwerin Castle stands on an island in Schwerin Lake, Germany, originally established by Slavic peoples around 941 or 942. The first fortification was a circular wooden platform about 45 meters wide, built as a ring-shaped fort. This early structure collapsed within two decades and was replaced by a stronger wall between 963 and 965, confirmed by tree-ring dating of wooden remains from that period. The castle is likely the “Weligrad” fortress described in 973 by the Andalusian merchant Ibrahim Ibn Jakub, identifying it as a border stronghold of the Obotrite Slavs.
In 1160, during the eastward expansion of German feudal lords led by Henry the Lion, the Obotrite prince Niklot ordered the castle destroyed and abandoned to prevent its capture. The German forces then rebuilt the fortress and founded the city of Schwerin on the site. The castle soon became important as a bishop’s seat. Seven years later, Henry the Lion granted the surrounding lands, including Schwerin Castle, to Gunzelin von Hagen.
By 1358, Duke Albrecht II, a descendant of Niklot, purchased the county and moved his residence from Wismar to Schwerin Castle. Over time, the castle evolved from a military fortress into a palace complex, reflecting the growing residential and ceremonial needs of the ruling princes. This transformation intensified during the late Gothic period.
Starting in 1560, Duke Johann Albrecht I initiated a Renaissance remodeling of the castle, inspired by Italian palaces. He commissioned Johann Baptista Parr to expand the complex and build the Protestant Schlosskirche (castle chapel) between 1560 and 1563. In the early 1600s, master builder Gerhart Evert Pilooth planned a full reconstruction in the Dutch Renaissance style. Partial work began in 1617 but was interrupted by the Thirty Years’ War. Between 1635 and 1643, parts of the castle were heightened and given Dutch Renaissance facades.
The ducal court moved away from Schwerin Castle in 1764 to Ludwigslust but returned in 1835 when the castle had fallen into disrepair. Grand Duke Friedrich Franz II abandoned plans for a new palace and instead commissioned a comprehensive renovation from 1843 to 1857. Architect Georg Adolf Demmler led the work, with contributions from Gottfried Semper and Friedrich August Stüler. The redesign drew inspiration from French Renaissance châteaux such as Chambord and Blois. Stüler added sculptural details and a monumental dome topped by a gilded statue of the Archangel Michael in 1857.
Schwerin Castle served as the grand ducal residence until 1918. In December 1913, a fire destroyed about one-third of the building, including the Burgsee wing, the southern garden wing, the Golden Hall, and the main staircase. After the last grand duke abdicated in 1918, the castle became state property. From 1921, parts of it were converted into museums, including archaeological and hygiene exhibits. During World War II, the castle housed a kindergarten and a military hospital.
Following the war, the Soviet administration occupied the castle. In 1948, a plenary hall for the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern regional parliament was created in the Burgsee wing. Throughout the German Democratic Republic era, the castle served various educational and museum functions. Restoration of historic interiors began in 1974. Since German reunification in 1990, Schwerin Castle has been the seat of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state parliament. Extensive renovations were completed by 2017, including a new plenary hall in the former Golden Hall.
On 27 July 2024, Schwerin Castle was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Schwerin Residence Ensemble, recognizing its cultural and architectural importance. The castle is also linked to the local legend of the “Petermännchen,” a ghost figure represented by a sculpture on the courtyard facade and featured in regional folklore.
Remains
Schwerin Castle is an irregular five-wing complex arranged around a central courtyard on an island in Schwerin Lake. Its layout preserves the ring-shaped form of the original Slavic fortifications. The earliest surviving buildings date from the Renaissance period under Duke Johann Albrecht I between 1560 and 1563. These include four main structures: the House above the Castle Kitchen, the Bishop’s House (named after Bishop Magnus, who served from 1516 to 1550), the New Long House, and the House above the Castle Church. Their facades and gables feature red terracotta decorations from the workshop of Statius von Düren, characteristic of North German Brick Renaissance style.
The Schlosskirche, or castle chapel, has a rectangular floor plan with galleries along its long and short sides, modeled after chapels in Torgau and Dresden. Its sandstone portal facing the courtyard displays a relief of Christ carrying the cross, created by Dresden sculptor Hans Walther. The northern gallery niches contain alabaster biblical reliefs, five of which were made by Dutch sculptor Willem van den Broeck, including a signed piece titled “Raising of the Brazen Serpent.”
Mid-16th-century bastions stand on the northwest, southeast, and southwest sides of the castle. These fortifications were likely built by Italian fortress engineers under Francesco a Bornau. Although altered over time, these bastions survive today. In the 17th century, the House above the Castle Kitchen and the House above the Castle Church were raised and given Dutch Renaissance facades, forming a blunt angle on the east-southeast and south sides.
The 18th century added a timber-framed building west of the chapel wing to house the ducal art collection. A tea pavilion was constructed on the northeastern bastion, featuring a staircase decorated with four putti sculptures by Johann Christoph Lücke in 1742.
The 19th-century reconstruction created a grand entrance facade aligned with the city street leading to the castle. This design was inspired by French Renaissance châteaux, especially Chambord. The castle bridge was rebuilt during this period. Architect Friedrich August Stüler replaced an originally planned lantern with a large dome topped by a gilded zinc statue of the Archangel Michael, which was restored in 2024.
Interior decoration involved workshops from Berlin and Schwerin. Sculptors Christian Genschow, Gustav Willgohs, Heinrich Petters, Georg Wiese, and designer Albert Wolff contributed to the ornamental program. The castle grounds include two main gardens: the Burggarten on the castle island, featuring an orangery, English landscape garden elements, Italian Renaissance terraces, and rose gardens; and the larger Schlossgarten, which extends from Schwerin and Burgsee lakes to the Fauler See. The Schlossgarten centers on a cross-shaped canal designed by landscape architect Peter Joseph Lenné.
The 1913 fire destroyed the Burgsee wing down to its foundations and damaged the upper floors of the southern garden wing, including the Golden Hall and main staircase. The main staircase was replaced between 1926 and 1931 by a red marble staircase designed by Paul Ehmig. The former Golden Hall, measuring 283 square meters, was converted into the new plenary hall for the state parliament, with renovations completed in 2017 by the architectural firm Dannheimer & Joos.
A prominent sculptural feature is the large equestrian statue of Niklot above the city-facing entrance facade, commemorating the Obotrite prince. The castle is also associated with the “Petermännchen,” a legendary ghost figure represented by a sculpture on the courtyard facade and celebrated in local folklore.
