Fussen, located at the foot of the Allgäu Alps, just three kilometers from the commune of Schwangau, dates back to the 3rd century. Fussen was originally a Roman castle, and then, in the 8th and 9th centuries, it was the center of a Benedictine abbey. Now Fussen is a hydrotherapy resort, and the presence of therapeutic mud and mineral springs have made the city one of the best resorts in Germany. Check jibin123 for customs regulations and visa requirements of Germany.
Small in size, Füssen, part of the federal state of Bavaria, is best known for its two magnificent castles located nearby, and is the last stop of the German Romantic Road, a tourist route that crosses the country from north to south, starting in Würzburg and following through Franconia and Augsburg.
How to get to Füssen
By train from Munich (fare 22-36 EUR, travel time 2 h 25 min). You can also buy the so-called “Bavarian Pass” (Bavarian Pass) for five people (and can be used by a much smaller number of tourists), which will save a lot.
Bus number 78 runs from the Füssen station and the commune of Schwangau to the castles. A taxi to the castles will cost about 13-16 EUR.
Bicycles can be rented at the rental office located near the station.
Weather in Füssen
Fussen is located at an altitude of 800-1200 m above sea level and is located in the temperate continental climate zone. In summer, the temperature warms up to 26 degrees, in winter – up to -2 degrees.
Kitchen
Of the local traditional dishes, you should try soup with liver dumplings, as well as Bavarian sausages with mashed potatoes and sauerkraut. And don’t forget the excellent local beer!
Most of the shops are concentrated on the central pedestrian street of the city.
Entertainment and attractions of Fussen
In Fussen, the church of St. Magnus, named after the founder of the abbey, has been preserved. Despite the fact that the church has been rebuilt many times, the 10th century frescoes that adorn the Romanesque crypt of the 9th century are preserved here, and are considered the oldest frescoes in the Bavarian state.
At the beginning of the 14th century, the city became the residence of the Electors of Augsburg, who built a castle on the Schlossberg hill. Now the castle has a museum with a collection of paintings and sculptures of the late Gothic period. From the Schlossberg hill you can enjoy stunning views of the Lech River.
Not far from Füssen is the commune of Schwangau (Schwangau), surrounded by four lakes and the Ammer Mountains nature reserve, the main attraction of which is the Royal Crystal Baths (Konigliche Kristall-Therme). And in Schwangau there is a funicular, where you can climb Mount Tegelberg with a height of 1720 m.
Füssen castles
Neuschwanstein Castle
A winding uphill road leads from Schwanagu to Neuschwanstein Castle. There are two ways to overcome this path – on a horse-drawn cart, or on foot. Neuschwanstein Castle, which combines Romanesque, Byzantine and Gothic styles, was designed by architect Eduard Riedel and is the most famous landmark in all of Bavaria. The castle is decorated with paintings for Wagner’s operas Tristan and Isolde, Tannhäuser, Sigurd and Gudrun, Parzival, Lohengrin and the German Nibelungen saga, and in German Neuschwanstein means “New Swan Rock”. The most breathtaking view of the castle opens from the suspension bridge thrown over the gorge at a height of 92 meters and located above the waterfall.
Hohenschwangau Castle
Hohenschwangau Castle, located on a cliff with stunning views of the Alpsee and Schwansee lakes, was built by order of King Maximilian II in the 19th century and was considered the official residence of the Bavarian kings. The interiors of the castle are decorated with frescoes on the theme of the German epic.
Opening hours: in summer (from March 19 to October 15) – daily, from 8:00 to 17:00, in winter (from October 16 to April 9) – daily, from 9:00 to 15:30. Weekends – January 1, December 24-25 and 31.
The cost of entrance tickets is: in Hohenschwangau – 13 EUR, in Neuschwanstein – 13 EUR; for children under 18 – free of charge.
Developments
As part of the Wagner Festival, classical music concerts are held annually in September at Neuschwanstein Castle, and musicals, operettas, comedies and other genres of theatrical performances are regularly staged in the Festspielhaus concert hall. Füssen is also home to the King Ludwig II Film Festival.
