Museum

Marienburg Castle

The authentically preserved summer residence of the Guelphs, the oldest princely house in Europe, is one of the most important neo-Gothic architectural monuments in Germany.

Marienburg Castle is a castle complex that King George V of Hanover had built between 1858 and 1869 to serve as a summer residence, a hunting lodge, and later as a widow's residence.

The history

When King George V (1819–1878) of Hanover presented Marienburg Castle as a gift to his wife, Queen Marie (1818–1907), he had no idea that this token of his love would one day become one of the most impressive architectural landmarks in Germany. In appearance, Marienburg Castle resembles a medieval hilltop castle. Its fairy-tale appearance stems from the queen’s desire for a romantic summer residence.

George V himself was never able to see this gem—created between 1858 and 1867 by the architects Conrad Wilhelm Hase and Edwin Oppler—with his own eyes, as he had been blind since early childhood. And Queen Marie, too, was able to live at the palace only for a short time, for as early as 1867 she had to follow her husband—who had lost the war against Prussia a year earlier—into exile in Austria.

Today, Marienburg Castle has become what Queen Marie always dreamed of: a hub for music, art, and culture. It impresses visitors with its nearly completely preserved interior and its elaborate exterior. Visitors can also explore the royal family’s state and private rooms, the queen’s library with its magnificently decorated ribbed vault, and the fully preserved palace kitchen.

Stone series star

The English influences on Hanover from the period of the personal union between the British and Hanoverian crowns are clearly evident in the palace and its furnishings. It’s no wonder, then, that the creators of the series “Maxton Hall” chose the very same palace that King George V had built for his queen. Already in the first six episodes of the German series, Marienburg Castle served as the setting for the fictional British private school “Maxton Hall.” Season one is based on the first novel in the best-selling trilogy by author Mona Kasten. The third and final season is scheduled to premiere in December 2026.

Marienburg Castle

Maxton Hall

Discover Maxton Hall and Marienburg Castle - a must for fans of the series

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Currently only available for virtual viewing

Due to extensive renovation work, Marienburg Castle can only be viewed from the outside until further notice. For those who still don’t want to miss out on a glimpse inside the Guelph castle, we highly recommend this virtual tour through its stone halls:

Marienburg Castle - 360° - Tour

Click here for the 360° tour of Marienburg Castle.

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Royal Hanover

Marienburg Castle is not the only testament to the close ties between Hanover and the English crown. The Herrenhausen Gardens also exude an incomparable royal charm. Originally commissioned by Johann Friedrich, Prince of Calenberg, the English kings transformed the pleasure garden into a magnificent Baroque complex during the early days of the personal union—a sight that was already impressive in its own time. The heyday of the Great Garden between 1680 and 1755 was shaped in particular by three rulers: Ernst August, Elector of Brunswick-Lüneburg since 1692; his son Georg Ludwig, who was crowned King George I of England in 1714; and George II, who was born at Herrenhausen Palace in 1683.