The royal house at Schachen
The royal house at Schachen, which was built in 1870, is open to visitors from May 30 to October 6. King Ludwig II had been planning this mountain house since 1869 and chose the Schachen at the foot of the Wetterstein massif at an altitude of 1,866 meters as its location. This location offers one of the most impressive high mountain impressions in the Bavarian Alps. Unlike his father Max II, the building was not intended for hunting, which Ludwig II was strictly opposed to. Instead, the house was intended to enable the king to enjoy the high mountains in complete comfort.
Architecture and interior design
From the outside, the royal house looks rather modest and is reminiscent of a traditional Swiss wooden chalet, a popular 19th century vacation home for the nobility and wealthy bourgeoisie. The room layout with a central salon corresponds to upper-class French villas of the time. The five living rooms on the first floor are paneled with local Swiss stone pine and comfortably furnished, reminiscent of an Alpine vacation home of the time. The furniture in the study and bedroom is made of oak and emphasizes the simple elegance.
The Turkish Hall
The most impressive room is located on the upper floor of the house: the Turkish Hall. This stands in complete contrast to the other furnishings in the house and is modeled on a historical hall in the palace of Eyüp, which Sultan Selim III had furnished at the end of the 18th century. Ludwig II discovered an illustration of this hall in an English publication from 1840 and was inspired by it. The Turkish Hall transports visitors into a magical world from “One Thousand and One Nights” with gilded, richly ornamented walls, a central fountain, lavishly embroidered stools and divans, a precious carpet and lavishly decorated accessories such as incense burners and candelabras. Large stained glass windows with colorful ornamentation illuminate this magnificent room.
Historical importance
King Ludwig II spent around 10 to 12 days a year at the Schachenhaus, accompanied by up to 20 servants who worked around the clock. He also celebrated his birthday and name day here every year on August 25. To complete the oriental impression of the room, servants in oriental dress were placed in the hall, smoking water pipes and drinking tea. This tradition of “living pictures” was very popular in the 19th century.
Hikes and excursions
The Schachen castle is a popular destination for hikers and mountain bikers. Right next to the castle is the Schachen house, a cozy hut that invites you to stop for a bite to eat in the summer months. Visitors should definitely take a walk to the Belvedere, from where they can enjoy a magnificent view through the Reintal valley to the Schneeferner of the Zugspitze. Behind the Schachenhaus rises the Wetterstein ridge with the striking Dreitorspitze.
Access routes
The Schachen caste and the Schachen house can be reached either from Mittenwald via the Ferchensee or from Klais via Elmau. The latter route is also suitable for mountain bikers, but is very challenging. A recommended alternative is to continue on foot from the Wettersteinalm.
The Royal house at Schachen is an impressive example of the architecture and cultural interests of King Ludwig II and offers visitors a fascinating insight into his world.
