Schwerin Palace, Germany

Schwerin Palace or Schwerin Castle (German: Schweriner Schloss) is a palace located in the city of Schwerin, the capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state, Germany. Set in a romantic location on a small island in Lake Schwerin, Schwerin Castle is one of Europe's foremost examples of historicist architecture. The island location chosen for the original Slav stronghold, first documented in 973, offers many strategic advantages. But the current five-wing castle owes its current appearance to Grand Duke Friedrich Franz II of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, who commissioned it to be rebuilt, and the work was done between 1845 and 1857. For centuries the palace was the home of the dukes and grand dukes of Mecklenburg and later Mecklenburg-Schwerin. It currently serves as the seat of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state parliament (German: Landtag). It is regarded as one of the most important works of romantic Historicism in Europe and is designated to become a World Heritage Site. It is nicknamed "Neuschwanstein of the North."