Schloss Ludwigslust

About the museum

It began as a small hunting lodge, completed in 1735 at Klenow. Duke Christian Ludwig II expanded it and gave the site the name "Ludewigs-Lust." His son Friedrich later withdrew from the residence city of Schwerin to this place and made Ludwigslust a residence in its own right. He had the court church, the associated town and a large garden laid out, and between 1772 and 1776 he had an entirely new castle with a sandstone façade built. The designs go back to the French architect Jean Laurent Le Geay and to ideas of the patron himself. A 28-kilometer canal was dug specifically for the fountains and the cascade in front of the castle.

The heart of the house is the Golden Hall, whose gilded decoration is made of Ludwigslust Carton, a papier-mâché mass. In a multi-year restoration financed by the EU, the state and the federal government, the east and west wings and the Golden Hall were restored. The picture gallery has been back in its original extent since 2016. On display are paintings by Frans Snyders, Bernardo Bellotto and Johann Dietrich Findorff, portraits, 18th-century decorative arts and animal paintings by Jean-Baptiste Oudry.

In the west wing are the life-size figures painted on wood by Georg David Matthieu, as well as the apartment of the hereditary grand ducal couple, Paul Friedrich and Alexandrine, redesigned in 1822. A modern introductory exhibition on the first floor of the west wing tells the story of the castle and its residents up to the 20th century in six rooms.

Highlights

• Golden Hall with gilded decoration of Ludwigslust Carton
• Picture gallery with works by Snyders, Bellotto and Findorff
• Life-size standing figures by Georg David Matthieu
• Animal paintings by Jean-Baptiste Oudry
• Introductory exhibition "Erlebniswelt Schlossgeschichte" with media stations
• Cascade and castle park in the English landscape style

Permanent exhibitions

• Erlebniswelt Schlossgeschichte – Introductory exhibition on the first floor of the west wing: six rooms tell the story of the castle, its dukes and residents up to the 20th century, with a model, media stations and a small stage.
• Herzogliche Appartements und Gemäldegalerie – Historic rooms in the east and west wings with courtly portraits, decorative arts, works by Oudry, Matthieu's standing figures and the restored gallery.
• Goldener Saal – The festival hall with columns, mirrors, crystal chandeliers and gilded decoration made of Ludwigslust Carton is the heart of the castle.

Operated by

Staatliche Schlösser, Gärten und Kunstsammlungen Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

Admission & discounts

Members of certain professional associations also have free admission.

Accessibility

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

Barrier-free access is via the west wing, and the castle has an elevator. On the first floor there are a wheelchair-accessible toilet, the castle shop and a cloakroom with lockers at different heights.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Thematic children's tours take place at least once a month, including during school holidays; there are also public family tours and holiday programs. Children's birthday parties (about 2 hours, with costumes and a creative part) cost €50 plus €2 per person and can be booked Tuesday to Friday.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A 20, exit Schwerin/Ludwigslust, then continue via Wöbbelin (L 072) to Ludwigslust. In town, at the height of the Lindencenter, turn right onto Schlossstraße up to Schlossplatz. Public transport information is available from Deutsche Bahn.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Castle café in the historic hunting hall (Jagdsaal) with homemade cake and meals; castle shop with regional specialties, specialist literature and souvenirs.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The castle can be used for private celebrations and company events. Inquiries go through the State Palaces, Gardens and Art Collections of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (Staatliche Schlösser, Gärten und Kunstsammlungen M-V).

Plan your visit