Füssen - Füssen guide, attractions and pictures



Füssen is a small German town known as "The Romantic Soul of Bavaria". Located in the southern part of the country, at the foot of the Bavarian Alps and close to the Austrian border, Fussen is the end point of the Romantic Road. At 808 m above sea level, it is the highest town in the province of Bavaria. The earliest history of the town goes back to the Roman times when Fussen was a settlement of a Roman legion guarding Via Claudia Augusta, an important ancient route across the Alps. Flowing through the mountainous town, the Lech River makes it more engrossing, picturesque, and romantic.

Among the most remarkable landmarks of Fussen is the Hohes Schloss, a well-preserved castle of late Gothic style which served as a summer residence of the Augsburg prince bishops. At present, the Hohes Schloss houses a branch of the Bavarian State Collections of Paintings. The list of historic attractions in Fussen includes two more castles located nearby: Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein. The first edifice served as the summer home of the family of King Maximilian II of Bavaria. It was also the place where the future kings Ludwig II and Otto I spent their childhood. The second castle is more famous, with its construction being ordered by King Ludwig II. The name of the castle comes from the Swan Knight in Richard Wagner's Lohengrin. Wagner was Ludwig's favorite composer and a regular guest at his residence.

The Fussen Heritage museum is worth visiting: its richly ornamented baroque walls remind of the past prosperity of the Benedictine church. The Anna Chapel is accessible through the museum premises and features the oldest Dance of Death cycle in Bavaria. The town is also known for the oldest fresco in Germany, dating back to the 8th century. This work of art can be seen in the east crypt of St Mang's Basilica (the saint is a patron of Fussen). On his feast day, September 6, as well as on the following days, visitors in town can purchase a bottle or two of the special "Magnus Wine", described by sommeliers as a "good bouquet, light and fruity". Fussen is also known as the "cradle of European lute-making", and its museum houses a valuable collection of lutes and violins.

Apart from its remarkable historic heritage, Fussen attracts visitors with its beautiful surroundings and charming location in the Alps.

Füssen - city center


If you travel from Munich to Neuschwanstein castle, Fussen is the last train stop where you have to get a bus or a taxi to go to Hohenschwangau village.

Fussen - city center




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User Comments about Füssen



babyface says:
Picturesque city, very nice! We went there on our way to Neuschwanstein castle. We got a taxi from the railway station for 10 Euro and were at the Hohenschwangau village in no time. I think the bus costs 2-3 euros. Fussen itself is very charming, with nice little bakeries and beautiful houses and buildings kept very well. If I have a chance to go there again I will stay in Fussen for a couple of days to explore.