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Castle · Füssen, Baviera
Hohes Schloss Füssen
A Gothic castle of the prince-bishops of Augsburg overlooking the Altstadt of Füssen, featuring trompe-l'œil paintings in the courtyard and galleries of Gothic art from Swabia.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Hohes Schloss Füssen
The Hohes Schloss dominates Füssen’s Altstadt from the top of a hill where, at the end of the Roman Empire, there was a legionary fort on the Via Claudia Augusta. The current castle served as a summer residence and administrative seat for the prince-bishops of Augsburg and took its present form after a major renovation begun in 1486. It is considered one of Bavaria’s best-preserved medieval castles.
The most curious detail is in the inner courtyard: the windows, balconies and towers painted on the walls are illusion paintings that imitate relief architecture. The clock tower (Uhrturm) appears from various points in the town.
The north wing houses a branch of the Bavarian State Painting Collections, with panels and sculptures from the late Gothic of Swabia and the Allgäu. The Knight’s Hall (Rittersaal) has a carved wooden ceiling from the late 15th century. On the first floor, the municipal gallery shows painters from the 19th-century Munich school.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About an hour for the galleries and the courtyard.
Best time
From April to October the castle is open Tuesday to Sunday; from November to March only on certain days of the week and in the afternoons. Check before you go. The painted courtyard looks particularly good in late-afternoon light.
How to get there
It sits high above the Altstadt, about a ten-minute walk from Füssen station, up the Reichenstraße, the town center’s pedestrian street.
Tip
Combine it with the city museum in the former St. Mang monastery just below: the two are only a few minutes apart. Then walk down to the Lechfall, about a 15-minute walk.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Hohes Schloss Füssen
Can you visit the courtyard of Hohes Schloss without a ticket?
The courtyard with the illusion paintings can be seen while walking around the hill; the art galleries charge admission. Confirm on arrival.
What is there to see inside?
Painting and sculpture of the late Gothic from Swabia and the Allgäu, the Salão dos Cavaleiros with a carved ceiling, and a gallery of 19th-century Bavarian painters.
Is the castle open year-round?
It's open for most of the year, but with fewer days and reduced hours from November to March. Confirm before you go.