Top 20 Castles around Penzlin

Hohenzieritz Castle in the Mecklenburg Lake District is an early neoclassical building with great historical significance. Originally built as a manor house in the 18th century, it was rebuilt and expanded under Duke Carl II of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. It became famous primarily because Queen Louise of Prussia died here on July 19, 1810. Her death chamber is now accessible as a memorial. The extensive castle park, one of the oldest landscaped gardens in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, is also particularly charming. It was laid out in the English style starting in 1771. With monuments such as the Luisentempel (St. Louis Temple) and its open layout, it offers impressive views of the surrounding hilly landscape. Today, Hohenzieritz Castle is not only a memorial to Queen Louise, but also the administrative headquarters of the Müritz National Park and a worthwhile destination for those interested in culture and nature.

During the GDR era, the castle was used as a scientific center for agriculture in the Neubrandenburg district. Today, it serves as the administrative headquarters of the Müritz National Park.

Hohenzieritz Palace is idyllically situated in the Mecklenburg Lake District and is best known as the place where Prussian Queen Louise died, who died here in 1810 at the age of just 34. The palace had previously been the summer residence of her father, Duke Carl II of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Shortly after her death, her death chamber was converted into a memorial that commemorates her to this day. Originally built as a manor house between 1747 and 1751, the building was expanded into a three-wing palace complex starting in 1790. The extensive palace park, one of the earliest landscaped gardens in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, is particularly impressive. Another architectural highlight was the so-called "Egyptian Hall," which Duke Carl II had designed in the Egyptian style of the time. The palace and park offer an atmospheric historical ensemble that can be easily combined with excursions into the surrounding area.

Today we are visiting Hohenzieritz Palace. The popular Prussian Queen Louise died here in 1810. A small exhibition awaits us in three rooms, with the former study becoming the death room. The panels and digital screens offer a wealth of information. Almost 80 family members have immortalized themselves over time on the autograph panels and doors. In the death room, in memory, there is a copy of the sarcophagus. The queen found her final resting place in Charlottenburg Palace. We go into the park, see the Luisentempel, not far from it roses, the scent is beguiling. All of a sudden there are alpacas standing next to us. The park has a beautiful old tree population. The monument "Hope comforts grief", erected by Louise's brother Karl, Duke of Mecklenburg, commemorates his deceased wives and children. We continue through the park and reach the rose garden. From here we have a beautiful view of the castle and shortly afterwards from the castle back into the park. We go to the castle church, but unfortunately it is closed. A lovely excursion, we read a lot of history. Hohenzieritz Castle is the end of our exploration of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The beautifully designed park surrounds us with the myth of Queen Louise. https://youtu.be/tnQBOg-_g10

As of August 2024: The area of the castle park BEHIND the castle is not accessible because the trees there are no longer safe for traffic. Current information at: https://www.mv-schloesser.de/de/news/sicherungsmassnahmen-an-zahlreichen-baeumen-im-schlosspark-hohenzieritz-noetig-zugang-zum-schloss-nicht-beeintraechtigt/

Small but impressive and above all very well maintained, we really enjoyed the visit.

Walpurgis Night takes place every year on April 30th, and the castle festival always takes place on the second-to-last weekend in August. These events attract thousands of visitors. The Old Penzlin Castle houses a museum depicting the medieval witch hunts. It is considered a specialist museum for "Magic and Witch Hunts in Mecklenburg." A historical rarity in Germany is the Witches' Cellar, an underground dungeon dating back to the time of the witch hunts. Expert guides provide information about the castle's history and bring the witch hunts to life on a tour of the torture chamber and the unique witch dungeons.

Cool castle "Die Hexenburg Penzlin" witches were burned here in the Middle Ages. The castle with museum is good for young and old to visit. The castle festival still takes place in August every year.