Staatliches Museum Schwerin

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One of the most beautiful collections of European art

The art collections, castles and gardens of Schwerin State Museum offer exquisite art treasures in architecturally outstanding buildings. Visitors to the art collections and residential palaces will feel themselves being transported back in time to the heyday of the Principality of Mecklenburg.

Art collections in Schwerin
The art collections owned by the Federal State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are situated right by Schwerin Lake - and, together with the Castle, Theatre and Old Palace, they form a characteristic feature of one of the few remaining historicist sites in Germany where the deliberate revival of different historical styles of architecture can be seen. The exclusive range of art making up the collection comprises works from the Renaissance period to the present; in particular, a magnificent collection of Dutch and Flemish paintings dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, sculptures created by Ernst Barlach and donated by Mr Bölkow and his wife (Ernst Barlach Stiftung Bölkow) and the Schwerin Collection of works by Marcel Duchamp , as well as a variety of special exhibitions of old and contemporary art.

Schwerin Castle
The most prominent castle of the Romantic period owes its bewitching effect to its idyllic island setting and the uniqueness of the architecture. Paintings, furniture and handicraft from the 19th century are displayed in the sumptuously appointed rooms of the banqueting halls and the bel étage. Precious chinaware from Meissen and Berlin adorns the rooms where the children of the ducal couple once slept.
The Castle and Palace Gardens with their sweeping parks invite you to stroll along the banks of Schwerin Lake.

Güstrow Castle
The magnificent castle is considered to be an outstanding example of European residential architecture. Designed and created in the style adopted by Italian and Dutch master builders, the Renaissance ensemble provides visitors with a tour that takes them through an almost two-thousand-year history of art, comprising exhibits extending from the ancient world to the present day, with a significant collection of mediaeval pieces, courtly art and exquisite glasses. The Renaissance garden, reconstructed according to historical engravings, is the ideal spot for spiritual refreshment among fragrant lavender beds by the calm water that fills the moats.

Ludwigslust Castle
As the focal point of a Baroque town boasting one of the most beautiful parks designed by landscape gardener Peter Joseph Lenné, the ducal Baroque castle Ludwigslust displays an unrivalled flair.
The extensive collections comprise courtly art and home décor of the 18th and early 19th century: Paintings, furniture, miniatures and decorative items made from gilded papier mâché, manufactured in the famous Ludwigslust factory. Ludwigslust Castle allows the visitor to relate to the living culture of the ducal family.