Schloss Kirchheim in Schwaben

Schloss Kirchheim in Schwaben is a Renaissance palace that draws on Spanish architecture and connects several wings with courtyards. The building features a front facade, large gardens, and refined architectural details across its different sections.

Hans Fugger commissioned architect Jakob Eschay to build this palace between 1578 and 1585. The design followed the model of Spanish El Escorial and brought this building style to southern Germany.

The cedar hall inside the palace has special acoustic qualities and is used today for musical performances. Visitors can experience the sound quality that has drawn performers and audiences for centuries.

The grounds are open to visitors from April through October, with guided tours available in German and English. You should arrive early to explore the gardens in good light and see the different parts of the complex at a relaxed pace.

The palace building contains its own chapel inside, following the model of Spanish monastery complexes from the 16th century. This integration of a church within the palace rooms shows how worldly and religious functions were combined in one building.