High Castle of Füssen, Gothic castle in Füssen, Germany
The High Castle of Füssen is a late Gothic hilltop castle that rises above the old town of Füssen in southern Bavaria. It consists of a main tower, several wings around a central courtyard, and a chapel, all sitting on a rocky outcrop at the edge of the town.
The site dates back to the late 13th century, when a fortified residence was built here for the bishops of Augsburg. The building took its current Gothic form between 1489 and 1504, when Prince-Bishop Friedrich II of Zollern ordered a thorough rebuilding of the structure.
The outer walls of the High Castle are painted with trompe-l'oeil details that mimic real stonework, window frames, and bay windows. Visitors who look closely will notice that many architectural features they first assume to be carved are actually painted directly onto the plaster.
The castle is reached on foot from the center of Füssen by a short but steep uphill path that starts near the old town. The courtyard can be visited without a ticket, but entering the interior rooms and the museum requires one.
The Veit's Chapel inside the castle is known for being unusually tall relative to its floor space, almost like a tower room set aside for prayer. It is also one of the few spaces in the castle where weddings are still held today.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
