Hohes Schloss stands on a hill above Füssen. Its pointed roofs and towers rise against the sky, visible from a distance. The castle is part of Bavaria’s history, where power, art, and daily life once met.
The castle’s beginnings
The Prince-Bishops of Augsburg built Hohes Schloss in the late 15th century. Füssen was a key stop on the trade route between Germany and Italy, and the bishops wanted a fortress that would serve as both a residence and a symbol of their authority. The hill’s history goes back further—an 8th-century stronghold once stood here, followed by a 13th-century fortress built by the Staufen dynasty. Only fragments of those earlier structures remain beneath the late Gothic redesign that shaped the castle we see today. The massive walls and steep roofs were built to resist attacks, but the inner courtyard’s delicate arcades soften the fortress’s stern appearance.
The Chapel of St. George
The chapel’s walls are covered with frescoes painted in the early 16th century by artists from the Augsburg school. The biblical scenes and saints’ figures remain largely intact. The chapel’s quiet beauty contrasts with the castle’s fortified exterior.
A changing role
In the 16th century, Hohes Schloss became a summer retreat for the Augsburg bishops. New wings were added, and the interiors were filled with tapestries, carved woodwork, and paintings. By the 17th century, the bishops preferred other palaces, and Füssen’s strategic importance faded. The castle’s decline followed—first as barracks, then as a prison. Many original furnishings were lost, and the grand halls were altered to fit new purposes.
The castle today
Füssen now owns Hohes Schloss. The municipal art gallery occupies part of the castle, displaying Bavarian works from the 15th to the 19th centuries. Franz Graf’s landscapes, which show the Füssen countryside in different seasons, are among the highlights. In summer, the courtyard hosts classical concerts. In winter, Christmas markets fill the space with lights and stalls.
The walk to Hohes Schloss starts in Füssen’s old town. Narrow streets pass pastel-colored houses with frescoed facades and ornate balconies. From the castle’s hilltop, the view takes in the town’s rooftops, church spires, and, on clear days, the Alps in the distance.
Legends surround the castle. One tells of a ghostly knight who wanders the galleries at night. Another claims secret tunnels once connected Hohes Schloss to other fortresses. These stories add to the castle’s history.
Hohes Schloss sees fewer visitors than Neuschwanstein or Hohenschwangau. The atmosphere is quiet, the history tangible in the creak of floorboards and the breeze through the courtyard. The past isn’t just preserved here—it’s still present.
