Guided tour of Schwerin Castle: history with a lot of love

The tour of Schwerin Castle is a little bit about history and a lot about romance. In the leading roles: Grand Duke Friedrich Franz II and his first wife Auguste

Published: July 2, 2024

Castle guide Godehard Weichert knows all the details and anecdotes about the Schwerin residence., © TMV/Tiemann

Published: July 2, 2024

Frederick Franz II built the flower room for his first wife Auguste., © TMV/Tiemann

True love

Godehard Weichert has his own convictions. For example, that it must have been true love between the Grand Duke Friedrich Franz II and his first wife Auguste. For the museum guide at Schwerin Palace, the evidence is obvious - and he is only too happy to present it to visitors to the palace. For example, in the flower room that the Grand Duke furnished especially for his Auguste, with lovingly painted floral tributes throughout the room. Says Weichert. And visitors to the palace are happy to believe it.

Video MVK Flower Room

The Grand Duke, a sophisticated builder

Duke Friedrich Franz II had the Schwerin residence converted into an imposing neo-Renaissance palace from 1842. And contributed many ideas himself. Weichert points to the cupboard walls in the private library. But to the surprise of visitors to the palace, the shelves were not only used to store books and tomes. Weichert explains that behind them is a corridor that connects the library with the bedchamber of his wife Auguste. A worthwhile investment – six children were born from the marriage.

Grand Duke Friedrich Franz II in festive regalia, © TMV/Tiemann
Young, handsome "firebrands" were hired to heat the throne room, © TMV/Tiemann

Young, presentable heaters

The servants responsible for the heating were called "firemen", were not allowed to be older than 25 years of age and had to have a good head, Weichert knows. And reveals that unfortunately we do not know exactly who decided on her attitude at the time - the Grand Duke or the Grand Duchess. The palace guide prefers to tell us about the other two ladies that Franz Friedrich II married after the unfortunate death of his Auguste.

Grand Duchess Auguste was the first of three wives of Grand Duke Friedrich Franz II - she died young, © TMV/Tiemann
Grand Duchess Auguste was the first of three wives of Grand Duke Friedrich Franz II - she died young
A miniature portrait of Grand Duchess Auguste., © TMV/Tiemann
A miniature portrait of Grand Duchess Auguste.
If you pull on the right shelf, a hidden passage to the Grand Duchess's bedchamber opens up in the library of Schwerin Castle, © TMV/Tiemann
If you pull on the right shelf, a hidden passage to the Grand Duchess's bedchamber opens up in the library of Schwerin Castle
Schwerin Castle is located on an island in Lake Schwerin, © TMV/Gänsicke
Schwerin Castle is located on an island in Lake Schwerin

Worth seeing

in Schwerin

To the map

5 Ergebnisse

© SSGK MV / Timm Allrich

Schwerin Palace

  • Open today
  • Lennéstraße, 19053 Schwerin

Schwerin Palace is located on an island in Lake Schwerin and is among the most important historicism edifices in Europe.

Read more: "Schwerin Palace"
© Stadtgeschichts- und Museumsverein Schwerin e.V.; Dr. Holger Martens

Museum Grinding Mill Schwerin

  • Schleifmühlenweg, 19061 Schwerin

From magnificent floors to fine walking stick knobs, works of art made of stone and precious stones were produced for the ducal court in the Schwerin Grinding Mill. The mill is located on the edge of the stately palace grounds and is in working order and used as a museum. Visitors can learn about stone cutting and stone grinding and get to the bottom of the living conditions of the day laborers and grinding millers. The museum is open all year round.

Read more: "Museum Grinding Mill Schwerin"
© Foto: G. Bröcker, Staatliches Museum Schwerin

State Museum Schwerin

  • Temporarily closed
  • Alter Garten, 19055 Schwerin

In a prominent location on Schwerin Lake, visitors will find a top collection of Dutch paintings, as well as paintings from the 16th to the 21st century and works of handicrafts and graphic art.

Read more: "State Museum Schwerin"
© TMV, Tiemann

Open-air museum for folklore Schwerin-Mueß

  • Open today
  • Alte Crivitzer Landstraße, 19063 Schwerin

In the historic village ensemble directly on Schwerin Lake, visitors stroll between old farmhouses, fruit trees, herb beds and through the restored garden of a village teacher. The museum-like buildings show village life in the 19th century. Markets, events with traditional music, Low German theater performances, seminars and children's holiday programs take place during the season.

Read more: "Open-air museum for folklore Schwerin-Mueß"
© Silke Winkler

Mecklenburg State Theater

  • Open today
  • Alter Garten, 19055 Schwerin

The Mecklenburg State Theater in the beautiful state capital Schwerin has a lot to offer: a talented acting ensemble, a versatile musical theater, the third oldest orchestra in Germany, an international ballet ensemble, the Young State Theater Parchim and the traditional Fritz Reuter Stage - up Platt, as well as the highlight of the season every summer, the Schwerin Castle Festival with a diverse program.

Read more: "Mecklenburg State Theater"
© SSGK MV / Timm Allrich

Schwerin Palace

  • Open today
  • Lennéstraße, 19053 Schwerin

Schwerin Palace is located on an island in Lake Schwerin and is among the most important historicism edifices in Europe.

Read more: "Schwerin Palace"
© Stadtgeschichts- und Museumsverein Schwerin e.V.; Dr. Holger Martens

Museum Grinding Mill Schwerin

  • Schleifmühlenweg, 19061 Schwerin

From magnificent floors to fine walking stick knobs, works of art made of stone and precious stones were produced for the ducal court in the Schwerin Grinding Mill. The mill is located on the edge of the stately palace grounds and is in working order and used as a museum. Visitors can learn about stone cutting and stone grinding and get to the bottom of the living conditions of the day laborers and grinding millers. The museum is open all year round.

Read more: "Museum Grinding Mill Schwerin"
© Foto: G. Bröcker, Staatliches Museum Schwerin

State Museum Schwerin

  • Temporarily closed
  • Alter Garten, 19055 Schwerin

In a prominent location on Schwerin Lake, visitors will find a top collection of Dutch paintings, as well as paintings from the 16th to the 21st century and works of handicrafts and graphic art.

Read more: "State Museum Schwerin"
© TMV, Tiemann

Open-air museum for folklore Schwerin-Mueß

  • Open today
  • Alte Crivitzer Landstraße, 19063 Schwerin

In the historic village ensemble directly on Schwerin Lake, visitors stroll between old farmhouses, fruit trees, herb beds and through the restored garden of a village teacher. The museum-like buildings show village life in the 19th century. Markets, events with traditional music, Low German theater performances, seminars and children's holiday programs take place during the season.

Read more: "Open-air museum for folklore Schwerin-Mueß"
© Silke Winkler

Mecklenburg State Theater

  • Open today
  • Alter Garten, 19055 Schwerin

The Mecklenburg State Theater in the beautiful state capital Schwerin has a lot to offer: a talented acting ensemble, a versatile musical theater, the third oldest orchestra in Germany, an international ballet ensemble, the Young State Theater Parchim and the traditional Fritz Reuter Stage - up Platt, as well as the highlight of the season every summer, the Schwerin Castle Festival with a diverse program.

Read more: "Mecklenburg State Theater"
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