Checking out Schloss Marienburg

We needed a place to stop to stretch our legs on our way home after leaving Wernigerode. I looked up a few places and one caught my eye: Schloss Marienburg.

It looked like a castle fit for a queen…and I was right!

Trust me when I say that its fairytale-like characteristics did not disappoint.

Since we’re suckers for castles, and this one opened right around the time we’d be driving by, it was perfect timing.

Even better: we could look around the castle and then eat lunch on property.

The restaurant used to be the castle’s horse stables that they reconfigured into a self-service cafe.

I truly hope that three or four years from now when we leave I won’t be tired of castles. I hope the very last one I set my eyes on before we move away will bring me as much joy as these first ones, because there’s truly something magical about them.

A Magical Fairytale Ascent

The magic with this one started as we were driving to it.

Schloss Marienburg is on top of a hill over looking the land, so the drive up to it was pretty magical.

• 

• 

We didn’t tell the kids where we were going, just that we were going somewhere to see something.

Needless to say, but when they spotted the castle on the hill, they we were ecstatic!

While my husband and I have seen the “Cinderella” replica in Bavaria, these smaller castles totally give me princess vibes even though they’re less known in the social media world.

Visiting these castles during the pandemic is pretty remarkable since they’ve been empty—especially in the mornings.

It’s easy to imagine what it was like back in the day and really soak in the sights, as opposed to fighting with crowds.

Schloss Marienburg’s History: A Royal Bummer

As you walked around the castle there were short cartoon video clips (with English subtitles) explaining the history of the castle. And whoa boy…there was some drama involved!

Unfortunately, I don’t remember too many of the specific details to recount them here (and I didn’t find much online), but it had to do with affairs, missed opportunities, and crazy “disappearances.”

What I do know is that King George V. of Hanover had Schloss Marienburg built between 1858 and 1867 as a gift to his wife, Queen Marie.

She wanted a romantic summer residence and…bippidi boppidi boo, her wish was granted.

BUT…the king—blind since childhood—never got to see the castle (because of the blindness), and the queen barely got to live in the castle, because her husband was exiled into Austria in 1866 after losing the war against Prussia. The queen was summoned to move with him, leaving the castle she’d only lived in for a few months.

Talk about a huge, royal bummer.

A Truly Beautiful Castle

I fell in love with how beautiful the castle was, inside and out. It was so colorful and “homey.”

Because it was barely lived in—and hardly even completed at the time—Schloss Marienburg has one of the most completely preserved interiors, and it’s quite spectacular.

You can wander through the grand halls and see the state rooms, private chambers, gorgeous libraries, and more.

Queen Marie always wanted it to be a center for music, art, and culture, and that’s what it is today (Covid is the exception, of course).

Schloss Marienburg often has concerts and art shows, and apparently a wonderful Christmas market, too.

Basic Info for Schloss Marienburg

I highly recommend checking out this castle, especially if you’re in the area. It was so pretty, and I loved learning about the royal family who (briefly) lived there.

It’d be awesome to check out some of their tours and events once the virus is away—they all sound wonderful.

Admission Prices

Of course, check the website before arriving, just to make sure something hasn’t changed. The hours vary seasonally.

Adults: €12.50
Kids (6-17 years): €9.50
Kids (under 6): free

During the summer you can also climb the tower for €5/per person—this would be amazing to see. The surrounding area is gorgeous.

They also have lots of fun opportunities for kids, so if we’re ever in the area again when things are back up and running, we’ll be sure to check them out.

How to Get There

Driving from…
Hanover: 30 minutes
Wernigerode: 1.5 hours
Berlin: 3.5 hours
Brunssum: 4 hours
Geilenkirchen: 4 hours
Spangdahlem: 5 hours
Ramstein: 5 hours

Where to Stay

Looking for a place to stay near Schloss Marienburg? Here are some options for you!

If you visit Schloss Marienburg I’d love to hear about your adventure! Tell us about it below.