After the Corona-related slump in visitor numbers, Bavaria’s castles are again enjoying a significant increase in popularity among tourists. “Around 28 percent more visitors than in 2022 – Bavaria’s palaces, fortresses, residences and cultural monuments are extremely popular! Over 4.5 million people visited the sights of our Bavarian Palace Administration in 2023 and explored their history,” said Finance and Homeland Minister Albert Füracker on Thursday in Munich.
The undisputed frontrunner was Neuschwanstein Castle with 851,047 visitors (2022: 706,154), followed by the Munich Residenzmuseum (438,141 visitors) and the Würzburg Residence (310,495 visitors). Before the pandemic (2018), the castles in Bavaria had received more than 5.3 million visitors – the highest figure to date. The front runner at that time was also Neuschwanstein Castle with around 1.5 million guests.
A new visitor record was also recorded in some excursion destinations in the Free State last year: “The Walhalla in Donaustauf, the Residenz in Munich and the Imperial Castle in Nuremberg were particularly popular,” said Füracker. The highest number of visitors of all time was recorded here. The Walhalla was visited by 163,447 guests and the Imperial Castle recorded 208,278 visitors.
Thanks to the increased number of visitors, the Bavarian Palace Administration’s income also climbed by around 12.7 million euros to around 70.3 million euros compared to the previous year (plus 22.1 percent). However, expenses for operational business amounted to around 92.1 million euros (plus 5.2 million euros, plus 6.0 percent). The cost coverage ratio is 76 percent. Construction expenditure in 2023 amounted to around 66 million euros.
According to Füracker, some extensive construction work is planned for the current year. According to the plan, the renovation and restoration of the state rooms in Neuschwanstein Castle will last until autumn. The state rooms were partially damaged by the high number of visitors in the past decades. The existing, largely original furnishings will be restored in order to avoid any loss of substance. Construction work will also be planned at Willibaldsburg in Eichstätt, Seehof Castle and Johannisburg Castle in 2024.
The palace administration also wants to attract visitors with a diverse program in 2024, it was said. For example, the Bayreuth Residence Days will take place at the beginning of May under the motto “Paradise on Earth” and the UNESCO World Heritage Day will be celebrated in the Würzburg Residence at the beginning of June. The 22nd Residence Week in October is dedicated to Elector Charles II of Palatinate-Bavaria, who is celebrating both the 225th anniversary of his death and his 300th birthday this year.