Just 28 km from Hanover

Slott Marienburg - Fairytale Slott

Let yourself be enchanted and transported back to the 19th century.

Marienburg Castle was not just a place of longing for Queen Marie of Hanover. Even today, the castle continues to captivate visitors with its almost completely restored interiors and its fairy-tale appearance. King George V gave the castle to his wife Marie as a birthday gift and had it furnished “to the delight of our dear wife and for her comfort.” Even though the castle was not inhabited for long, one can still see in every corner what the queen loved about her “Eldorado,” as she called the castle. The eventful history of Marie, Georg, and their three children, who ended up in exile in Austria, also makes this magnificent historical monument a very special place.

Castle Tours

The castle is open to visitors year-round and offers not only self-guided tours but also a wide range of themed tours. Climbing the castle’s 40-meter-high tower provides a unique view of the Calenberger Land region. On clear days, you can even see Hannover in the distance.

In the summer, the romantic courtyard, surrounded by roses and geraniums, transforms into the perfect setting for outdoor events under the open sky. Whether it’s classical music, marching bands, or cabaret—the diverse program has something for everyone.

History

The construction of Marienburg Castle, which today lies within the city limits of Pattensen (Region Hannover), is linked to a touching story: In 1857, the blind King George V, the last king of Hanover, gave his wife, Queen Marie, the hill—which was henceforth to be called Marienberg—and the castle, which was yet to be built, as a birthday gift. This castle, named after her, was actually intended as a summer residence. The castle was then crafted out of a romantic vision of life: a fairytale castle perched on a hilltop, complete with towers, a castle chapel, custom-designed furnishings, and imaginatively painted vaults.

Architects Conrad Wilhelm Hase and Edwin Oppler built the palace between 1857 and 1867 in the Neo-Gothic style. Construction was not yet fully completed when, in 1867, the Kingdom of Hanover declared war on Prussia. Queen Marie was forced to move with her court from Herrenhausen Palace to her private estate at Marienburg Castle. The political unrest continued, so in 1867 Queen Marie joined her husband in exile in Austria. They never returned to Hanover.