Continuing the list of Germany’s most beautiful castles!
6. Burg Hohenzollern, Baden-Württemberg
One of Germany’s most famous and oldest castles was first mentioned in 1061. Sitting high in the hilltops of the German countryside, the Burg Hohenzollern has been home to the Prussian Royal Family since it was a house on a hilltop in 1061 and then a full castle, built in 1267. It is very rare to find one family in control of a residence such as this for nearly one thousand years but today, the Prince and Princess of Prussia remains the primary caretakers of the property! Visitors can tour the interior of the castle (led by a guide dressed in an authentic Medieval outfit) and during the off-season you can roam through the inside at your own pace. It is recommended to visit in the wintertime, where the castle and its surroundings look like they are out of a winter wonderland! Consult the Burg Hohenzollern website for more information.
7. Lichtenstein Castle, Baden-Württemberg
Hanging at the edge of a steep cliff, connected by a series of bridges, the Lichtenstein Castle is an impressive sight. The Knights of Lichtenstein built the first fortress on the site between 1100 and 1150. It was destroyed and rebuilt over a period of years and in 1937 Count Wilhelm used the foundation of the medieval fortress to built the castle that stands today. Today, you can visit the castle and participate in a guided tour. Consult the Lichtenstein Castle website for more information.
8. Moritzburg Castle, Dresden, Saxony
Built in 1542 by Duke Maurice of Saxony, the castle was originally a hunting lodge built in the Renaissance style. Later, it was rebuilt Baroque style, giving it unique architectural aspects. Located just outside of the city of Dresden, the castle was the famous backdrop for a popular German fairy-tale movie “The Hazelnuts for Cinderella” in the 1970s. You can visit the castle and impressive grounds today and sign up for a variety of guided tours. Consult the Moritzburg Castle website for more information.
9. Burg Eltz, Koblenz, Rheinland-Pfalz
Nestled into a lush green valley, the Berg Eltz is one of Germany’s most famous fairy-tale castles. The current structure was built from 1490-1540 and the property has been held in the same family since 1157 (that’s 33 generations!). The Count and Countess Eltz are direct decedents of the original family and continue to live and keep the house today. The Castle is also one of three castles still located in the Rhine region that has not been destroyed or rebuilt significantly over nearly 1,000 years! As the castle is located in the heart of the forest, there is limited access and it is only open from spring to fall each year. You can take a 45-minute hike from the main train station to the castle to see really how beautiful this place is! Consult the Burg Eltz website for more information.
10. Mespelbrunn Castle, Bavaria
Out of a fairy-tale the Mespelbrunn Castle is tucked away in the valley between Frankfurt and Würzburg. It is surrounded by a natural moat, which gives the illusion that the castle is nearly floating on top of the water. It was actually original built as a farmhouse in the 1100s, but numerous fortifications and a tower were added in 1427 to today. Consult the Mespelbrunn Castle website for more information.
And there’s more beautiful German castles yet to come!
