Cultural Schwangau
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Culture in all its facets - delectation in the village of the king’s castles
Lovers of historical art treasures, enthusiasts of classical concert and top quality music, those who enjoy customs and traditions – all will strike gold in Schwangau im Allgäu. As varied as culture itself, what is on offer in the vivacious holiday resort at the foot of the Allgäu and Ammergau Alps is equally broad in scope. The unmistakable landmarks, the royal castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, give the one time home of King Ludwig II a truly fairytale character. The splendid Sängersaal (singer’s hall) of his world-famous castle has for many years formed an incomparable setting for the Neuschwanstein Castle concerts. In parallel with this, the people of Schwangau practice their customs and traditions throughout the year. In the midst of nature created from lakes, mountains, meadows, and woods, traditional costumes and music, and colourful festivals are an integral part. The high point of the customs during the Schwangau year is the traditional Colomansfest with its equine procession on the second Sunday in October. Here in the baroque pilgrimage church located in open fields, the Alpine Mariensingen (choral music in praise of the Virgin Mary) is an honoured tradition.
Even the Romans left traces in Schwangau. This is witnessed by the Via Claudia which led from Venice via Füssen to Augsburg, and also by the ruins of ancient Roman baths at the foot of Tegelberg mountain.
In between a wonder of the world and soil steeped in history
The king’s castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau are a magical centre of attraction for millions of visitors from all over the world. The dreams of the Bavarian fairytale king have been turned into stone, and with innumerable out-of-this-world embellishments and adornments, they transport visitors to the enchantment of times long past. The Schwangau churches of St. Maria and Florian, St. Georg and St. Coloman are expressive Christian baroque places of peace and reflection. The place itself surprises with endearing original details. Typical village
fountains, colourful farm gardens, and solid farm buildings mirror the varied history of the styles of Allgäu, Upper Bavaria, and Engadin.
Musical pleasure on a royal scale
The Sängersaal (singer’s hall) of Schwangau Castle is the showplace for the now world-famous Neuschwanstein castle concerts. Its builder, Ludwig II, never had a chance to experience a musical presentation there. Today, the Neuschwanstein castle concerts are well known to lovers of classical music. Every September, visitors from all over the world travel expressly to the series of high class concerts, which have top conductors, orchestras, and soloists. The Fürstensaal concerts in the beautiful baroque Prince’s Room of the former cloister in neighbouring Füssen, the church concerts in the Pfaffenwinkel region, and last but not least the musical summer of the Wieskirche church round out the musical delectations of the region.
Colourful customs
Customs and traditions are part of Schwangau in the same way as the lakes and the mountains. The origins of the Colomansfest with its much-loved parade of around 200 horsemen and women on their beautifully decorated horses goes back to the 16th century. During the Viehscheid (sorting of the cows) in September, the end of the Alpine summer is celebrated sociably when the Allgäu brown cows are herded down from the alpine pastures. The traditional festivals run like a golden (or should we say multicoloured?) thread throughout the year. The dirndl, lederhose, gamsbart (traditional decoration for men’s hats) and historical costume are a must and are worn with pride when setting up the maypole, at village theatres, blowing the alpenhorn by a mountain lake, at the many summer festivals, at Alpine Advent singing, and at brass band concerts.
On tour
Pfaffenwinkel, the Romantic Road, historical towns - Schwangau is the ideal starting point for varied excursions into the local area. Whether to the World Heritage Site of Wieskirche, Linderhof (the third of Ludwig’s castles) with its famous dumb waiter “Tischlein-Deck-Dich”, the former Roman town of Kempten, the close-by Lake Constance, the regional capital Munich, or to the “Goldenes Dachl” in Innsbruck – within a one hour radius, here there is something for everyone.