castle Cumberland

Built between 1882 and 1886 on behalf of Duke Ernst August II of Hanover in the neo-Gothic Windsor style

The beautiful Cumberland Castle is located on a small hill, adorned with a park and promenade paths that invite visitors to take a stroll, above the natural gem that is Lake Krottensee. In 1882, Duke Ernst August (II), Crown Prince of Hanover, acquired a large amount of land in the immediate vicinity of the Queen's Villa in the north of the city and had a magnificent castle built on the hill between 1882 and 1886 in the neo-Gothic Windsor style, partly reminiscent of the Tudor style. In 1886, the Guelphs moved into the spacious and magnificently furnished castle complex. From 1886 until his death in 1923, the castle was the seat of the exiled crown prince. His mother and several other members of the family are buried in a mausoleum next to the castle.

In 1930, the castle was converted into a Guelph house and family museum. In 1938, the National Socialists took possession of the castle as a Gau training castle. From 1940 to 1945, it served as a military hospital. After the Second World War, the Republic of Austria took over Cumberland Castle. From 1947 to 1972, the castle served as a tuberculosis hospital. After thorough disinfection of the building, the castle was converted into a state nursing home. On 8 January 1973, nursing operations officially began. On 1 January 1979, the entire property was purchased by the province of Upper Austria and is now called the ‘Landespflege- und Betreuungszentrum Schloss Cumberland’ (Cumberland Castle Provincial Nursing and Care Centre).

You can find more information under Gmunden's treasures! (only available in German)

A chronicle of the castle can also be found on the nursing centre's website. (only available in German as well).