High Castle Füssen

High Above the Town of Füssen Stands the Hohes Schloss

Dominating the town of Füssen, the Hohes Schloss (High Castle) was once the summer residence of the Prince-Bishops of Augsburg. Today, it houses a branch of the Bavarian State Painting Collections and the Municipal Gallery. The Hohes Schloss is one of the most significant secular buildings of German Late Gothic architecture and is not only remarkable inside: its courtyard features unique illusionistic paintings waiting to be discovered.

In 1291, Duke Ludwig the Strict of Bavaria unlawfully began constructing a fortress here. The Bishop of Augsburg halted the construction, acquired the castle hill, and expanded the unfinished fortress into an administrative seat. Between 1489 and 1504, Bishop Friedrich II of Zollern extensively renovated the castle, and the results of his work remain visible today. During secularization, the castle fell under the ownership of the Kingdom of Bavaria. Today, it serves as a tax office and museum.

Beyond the State Painting Collections, the fortified walkway and towers are also fascinating. From the walkway, visitors can climb the gate tower up to the sixth floor, offering a breathtaking view of the town and surrounding landscape. The dungeon tower, once used as a prison, is also open to visitors. Additionally, the clock tower can be climbed. The Hohes Schloss complex includes the St. Vitus Chapel, likely the highest-elevation castle chapel in Germany, where weddings can be held.
The Museum in the Hohes Schloss

The museum features the Bavarian State Painting Collections’ branch, showcasing Late Gothic panel paintings and sculptures that provide an excellent overview of 15th- and 16th-century art in the Allgäu and Bavarian Swabia regions. The life of St. Magnus is depicted on five panels. The highlight of the museum is the “Knights’ Hall” with its intricately carved coffered ceiling.

The Municipal Gallery explores the imagery and ideas of the 19th century, including rotating special exhibitions on the works of Franz Graf von Pocci (1807–1876). Paintings from the “Munich School of Artists” are also displayed, such as Carl Spitzweg’s “The Guard”. The newly designed terrace garden, filled with medicinal and culinary herbs used since the Middle Ages, is also worth a visit.