Germany has some of Europe’s finest and most renowned castles. These beautiful castles, built in the ancient eras, are cradled amidst the alluring landscapes.
They are stitched with historic tales and have impressive architecture.
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In this article, you will get to know about some of Germany’s prettiest and most picturesque castles,
- Hohenzollern Castle
- Schwerin Castle
- Heidelberg Castle
- Wartburg Castle
- Neuschwanstein Castle
- Marksburg Castle
- Eltz Castle
- Lichtenstein Castle
Let’s see each of these in detail…
1. Hohenzollern Castle
Hohenzollern Castle, the third castle to nestle on the mountaintop in Baden-Württemberg, is the ancestral home of the imperial family of Germany. It is called the “House of Hohenzollern”.
This magnificent castle was constructed in the early 1200s, however, it was destroyed in 1423.
A larger and more robust replacement was eventually built in 1454 but started to degenerate at the start of the 19th century.
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The current neo-Gothic fortified structure was completed in 1850 by King Frederick William IV and is regarded as a masterpiece of 19th-century military architecture.
The Prussian royal crown and objects owned by Frederick the Great are among the several royal antiques from the dynasty that is on display here.
The lavish palace is located inside a fortification and is accessed through a grand gate. Paintings, silverware, gold, and other royal relics can be found here.
2. Schwerin Castle
Schwerin castle is surrounded by picturesque water bodies, and unlike other castles, it is fortified on rocky outcrops and perches on steep slopes.
It is nicknamed “Neuschwanstein of the North.”
This castle is connected to Schwerin, the regional capital of northern Germany’s Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, by a bridge.
It is a prime example of Romantic Historicism in Germany, along with Neuschwanstein.
You can view the stunning architecture of these castle-the onion-domed cupolas, tea caddy tower, and pointed spires are some of the outstanding features of the castle.
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This masterpiece has served as the home of the Dukes of Mecklenburg.
The dukes transformed the castle into a palace in the late Gothic period, replacing some of the defenses with more opulent extensions; and bastions were erected in the middle of the 1500s.
The enormous Throne Room is the focal point of the luxurious decor, which is the center of attraction of the castle.
3. Heidelberg Castle
Heidelberg castle is one of the best remaining examples of German Renaissance architecture.
It is made up of red-colored sandstone and is situated in the backdrop of lush green forests and clear skies that can be seen from virtually anywhere in town or along the Neckar River.
It occupies a dominating location on the slope right above Heidelberg’s Old Town.
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You can visit the interiors of the castle which include the massive castle courtyard, the pharmaceutical museum, and the cellar.
It is also the home to a seven-meter-tall huge barrel.
The courtyard hosts concerts, shows, and festivals, three times throughout the summer where you can see enormous firework displays.
4. Wartburg Castle
The Wartburg Castle, described as “an outstanding monument of the feudal period in central Europe ” in its UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, is one of the prettiest castles in Germany.
It is the location where Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German.
The value of the work goes far beyond its religious significance because Wartburg Castle, which was constructed in the second half of the 12th century, still has some of its original feudal-era parts.
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A courtyard encircled by half-timbered structures and battlemented parapets is accessible by a medieval drawbridge.
Life here in the medieval and Renaissance ages is recreated in beautifully preserved halls and rooms.
9,000 antique pieces are used in period furniture and other displays in the castle, and precious art collections featuring works by the painter Lucas are among the top exhibits in the restored rooms and halls.
5. Neuschwanstein Castle
In its architectural and ornamental style, Neuschwanstein draws inspiration from myth, Romantic literature, grand opera, and Teutonic chivalry.
The end result is an extravagant fusion of spires, turrets, battlements, and pitched roofs perched atop a rocky crag encircled by woodland.
It is a hybrid between neo-Romanesque and neo-Gothic that represents fairy tale architecture.
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Behind the castle, a ragged line of Alpine foothills rises, creating stunning views that are framed by its windows.
In addition to paintings, mosaics, arcades, and carved oak, the Throne Room, Singers’ Hall, Ludwig’s chamber, as well as other opulent rooms also feature these decorative elements.
This tourist attraction is so popular that reservations must be made many days prior to visiting
6. Marksburg Castle
Marksburg Castle is one of the 40 hill castles of the Rhine that has never been damaged or destroyed in Marksburg.
It is one of the main attractions of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley and is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Romanesque fortress was constructed high above the river Rhine and has retained its triangle shape ever since it was first mentioned in 1231.
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You can first enter a drawbridge gate, then pass by a second medieval gateway, and finally go through the Riders Stairway, a meandering flight of stairs cut out of the bedrock in the area.
The batteries, medieval cellars, herb garden, kitchen, Great Hall, bedroom, and 14th-century chapel with painted walls and ceilings are all open for the visitors to explore.
Atop the tower, one can see the entire scenery of the Rhine.
7. Eltz Castle
Eltz Castle is among the best examples of medieval castles in entire Germany.
Since its foundation in the 12th century, the castle has been owned by the Kempenich family.
It has been lovingly preserved and refurbished, with stunning interiors and many of its original furnishings.
The castle is nestled on a 70-meter-high rock outcrop surrounded by dense woodland with the perfect backdrop of dense forests.
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It overlooks beautiful landscapes from its towers and can be accessed across a tiny bridge.
Burg Eltz stands out amidst all the other castles of the forested hillside due to its towering stone walls and towers, pointed turrets, sharply pitched roofs, and red half-timbering structures.
These contain one of Germany’s most significant private collections of historical artworks, which also includes curios, weaponry, glass, porcelain, ivory, gold, and silver.
8. Lichtenstein Castle
The Lichtenstein Castle, which is perched on a tall rocky outcrop at the foot of the Swabian Alps is only accessible by a short wooden bridge.
Although there have been multiple prior castles on this rock, this neo-Gothic castle constructed on their foundations is a reconstruction of a medieval castle from the 1800s.
The steep walls and lofty circular towers are highlighted by the elevation. The narrow access bridge across the ravine beautifully completes the structure’s charming appeal.
Highlights include the vibrant wall paintings, the chapel’s glass paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries, and the Knights’ Hall, which are all furnished opulently in the Romantic style inside Lichtenstein Castle. The lovely automobile city of Stuttgart is one hour away from Lichtenstein Castle.
These are some of the popular castles to visit in Germany.
If you haven’t been to a few castles, you haven’t truly seen Europe in all its splendor, and Germany undoubtedly contributes to the list of well-known castles in Europe.
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