Schloß Hohenschwangau

In picturesque Hohenschwangau near Füssen, the Museum der bayerischen Könige offers insights into the history of the Wittelsbacher ruling house from its beginnings to the present.

The building stands on the site of a former electoral brewery dating from 1780, which in the 19th century was converted into an inn called "Zur Alpenrose". At the end of the 19th century the property passed into royal ownership and was subsequently expanded into a boarding house and a hotel to accommodate the growing tourism around Schloss Neuschwanstein and the rail connection in Füssen. In 1924 the complex became the property of the Stiftung Wittelsbacher Ausgleichsfonds (WAF). After comprehensive restoration and conversion work, the museum opened on 9 September 2011, on the 125th anniversary of the death of König Ludwig II.

The architecture blends historic fabric with modern structure. In the redesign of the former dining room, the central exhibition area received a barrel-shaped steel vault based on a patented roof system; glazed side galleries provide panoramic views of Schloss Hohenschwangau, the Alpsee and the Alps. The building was honored with a state architecture prize for the quality of its design details.

The exhibition concept, developed by the Haus der Bayerischen Geschichte at the initiative of the Haus Wittelsbach, extends over approximately 1,200 m². With more than 130 predominantly original exhibits, the development of the ruling house from the Middle Ages to the 21st century is made comprehensible. At the centre is the "Saal der Könige", focusing on the builders of Schloss Hohenschwangau and Schloss Neuschwanstein, König Maximilian II. and König Ludwig II. In addition, the presentation addresses the period after the loss of the monarchy, including exile and the imprisonment of some family members during the Nazi era.

Among the outstanding objects are representative honorary gifts and everyday items: the Nibelungen table centerpiece by the sculptor Ludwig von Schwanthaler, the 58-piece fire-gilded ceremonial decoration for a wedding of 1842, the Bavarian royal service of 1918 in Nymphenburg porcelain comprising 326 pieces, as well as personal items such as a ceremonial sword and the original sky-blue mantle of König Ludwig II as Grand Master of the Kgl. Bayer. Hausritterordens vom Heiligen Georg.