More than 6,000 fans of the hit series Maxton Hall descended on Marienburg Castle in Germany when it opened its doors. The unexpected crowd forced the Marienburg Castle Foundation to cancel two further public openings.
In the hit series Maxton Hall, the German Marienburg Castle is the backdrop for intrigue, romance, and privilege. In reality, the 19th-century palace south of Hanover had long been a quiet, mostly closed site—considered at risk of collapse. That changed dramatically this Sunday, reports the UK newspaper The Times. Organizers had anticipated only around 400 visitors, but the unexpectedly large turnout caused congestion both inside the castle and on surrounding roads.
“The Marienburg Castle Foundation had not anticipated this extent of interest,” the foundation said. “Due to local conditions and traffic routing to the castle, the foundation will not be able to cope with the expected influx.”
A castle turned international star
The castle’s crenelated walls and towers, built by a grandson of King George III, have become famous as the fictional British public school in Maxton Hall. The Knights’ Hall is a key setting in the series, which is now streaming its second season—prompting more fans to visit the castle in person.
Maxton Hall has been a global sensation. Its first season achieved the most successful launch of any non-American Amazon production, topping Prime Video charts in 120 countries since May last year.
The story follows Ruby Bell, a brilliant scholarship student entering a world of privilege dominated by James Beaufort, the arrogant yet irresistible heartthrob. A third season is already planned.
Safety concerns and renovations
The Hanover regional building authority ordered the castle closed in 2023 after dry rot was discovered in the roof. Filming was allowed, but public access was restricted. Renovations are expected to continue until at least 2030.
The cancellation of further openings prompted criticism online. Many commentators suggested the organizers could have provided food, drinks, and additional parking to manage the crowds.
“They didn’t have the business acumen to use the onslaught they created,” one Facebook user commented.
Fandom fever
Fans’ interest in Marienburg is longstanding. During filming of the second season last June, security staff had to prevent visitors from accessing the set through nearby woods.
Accommodation bookings surged. Expedia reported a 400% increase in searches for Hanover within two weeks of the series launch—a phenomenon called set-jetting, where fans travel to locations featured in shows or films.
Historic castle, modern controversies
Marienburg has long been at the center of disputes over refurbishment costs, interior décor, and whether it truly needed to be closed to the public.
Completed in 1869 by king George V, the last king of Hanover, for his wife Marie of Saxe-Altenburg, Marienburg was sold to a public foundation in 2020 for €1 by Ernst August, Prince of Hanover.
Nicolaus von Schöning, the private leaseholder who managed the castle from 2019 and secured the Maxton Hall deal, resigned in frustration last year. He blamed authorities for the loss of 73 jobs, citing “narcissism, vanity and petty bureaucracy.”
A glimmer of hope for fans
Despite the recent chaos, the foundation is optimistic. Lessons learned from the overwhelming turnout will help them plan future openings safely, allowing fans to enjoy Marienburg Castle next summer,
“We want everyone to experience the magic of Marienburg,” the foundation told the newspaper.
Information in this article is based on reporting by The Times. All text has been rewritten in original wording for clarity and copyright compliance.
