Puppet theater at Schwerin Castle: a family trip into the past

Family vacations don't necessarily include culture, because let's be honest: children and culture? That doesn't work, does it? You bet it does! And how it goes well! On a vacation in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern with children, this can be seen at almost every stone castle, in colorful gardens, in glittering castle towers and behind the gilded columns of a castle hall. Fancy fun, games and excitement for the whole family? Then the Mecklenburg-Schwerin region has quite a lot of unusual and exciting, almost living history in its program.

Princess Thea

Thea's crown is a little crooked, but that doesn't matter to the theater princess. Squeaky clean, she captivates the audience during her tour of Schwerin Castle. At a total of five stations, Thea explains what life was like at court during the reign of Duke Friedrich Franz II. She lives in a box made by puppeteer Cornelia Unrauh and knows, for example, who was responsible for the nobles' diet in the palace. And that is indeed surprising, because the kitchen team cannot be counted on two hands. And then there is the story of the grand ducal family's favorite dessert: pineapple. A fruit that can be bought in every supermarket today. Why was it so special at court around 160 years ago? Thea tells her audience.

A valet de chambre Johann Völler - who once really existed - can also tell stories at Ludwigslust Palace. Valet Völler, who has been in service since 1763, guides families through the palace. He is accompanied by puppeteer Jürgen Wicht. Mr. Völler knows the castle and its noble inhabitants very well. His tour begins under the roof of the building with a view of the baroque ensemble and ends in the painting gallery. He immerses his audience in the world of the time, telling the story of the princely clock enthusiast Friedrich von Mecklenburg-Schwerin and his wife Luise, who owned ten shotguns. And what exactly is a shotgun? The valet knows.   

By the way: in addition to Schwerin and Ludwigslust, there are also guided tours and theater plays with handmade puppets in the castles of Bothmer, Mirow, Hohenzieritz and Granitz Hunting Lodge. Individual puppets await you in each castle to guide you through the houses and tell the story(s) of the respective castle in a humorous and child-friendly way.