Museum der bayerischen Könige

About the museum

The Museum der bayerischen Könige (Museum of the Bavarian Kings) opened in September 2011 on the shore of the Alpsee, below Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein castles. It is run by the Wittelsbacher Ausgleichsfonds, which manages parts of the former assets of the Bavarian royal family. The exhibition covers the history of the House of Wittelsbach from its beginnings to the present, with a special focus on King Maximilian II and King Ludwig II, whose lives were closely linked to Hohenschwangau.

The museum occupies the former Hotel Alpenrose. Its oldest part was built as a brewery long before the construction of Neuschwanstein and became an inn in the 19th century. With the stream of visitors after the royal castles opened to the public in 1886, the building grew into a hotel through several extensions; from 1894, it belonged to the Wittelsbach family. After World War II, when it served as a military hospital and refugee shelter, it was unable to regain its former status and stood empty for a long time from the 1980s.

For the museum, the Berlin firm Staab Architekten converted the listed building. Above the former dining room, a diamond-patterned steel barrel vault was created as a reference to the Bavarian coat of arms; the architecture and lighting design have won several awards. In 16 rooms on two floors, original objects such as the Nibelung centerpiece, porcelain, paintings, and a coat belonging to Ludwig II tell the story of the family, complemented by media stations that bring to life, among other things, castle projects Ludwig II never realized.

Highlights

• Nibelung centerpiece based on a design by Ludwig von Schwanthaler
• Original coat of King Ludwig II
• Computer animations of Ludwig II’s never-built castle projects
• 21-meter-long panoramic window overlooking the Alpsee and Hohenschwangau Castle
• Award-winning diamond vault by Staab Architekten

Permanent exhibitions

• Die Geschichte der bayerischen Könige – Tour of 16 rooms on the history of the House of Wittelsbach, focusing on Maximilian II and Ludwig II, with original objects and interactive media.

Founded

2011

Operated by

Wittelsbacher Ausgleichsfonds

Admission & discounts

Audio guide included in admission. Free admission with the KönigsCard. Combination tickets are valid for one day of visit only and are available in the official online ticket shop or at the day ticket desk of the Ticket-Center Hohenschwangau; the children’s price there applies to ages 7–17, under 7 free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Main entrance accessible via a ramp; two passenger elevators serve all exhibition areas. Seating in every room, portable folding stools available free of charge at the entrance. Accessible restroom on the first floor. Animals other than assistance dogs are not allowed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Puzzle tour “Mit Alois durchs Museum” with a puzzle sheet, pen box, and crown (€3, in several languages, no reservation required); children and teens up to age 18 have free admission. Tours for kindergartens and school classes on request.

Getting there & parking

The nearest highway is the A7; the nearest train station is Füssen, from there by bus or taxi.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with catalog (€14.50). The restaurant & café “Alpenrose am See” (hotel operation) is in the same building complex.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit