Join us on a magical, mysterious tour through Germany’s forested mountain landscapes as we visit some of the country’s most enchanting castles….
Neuschwanstein Castle
One of the dreamiest structures to be found anywhere on Earth, Neuschwanstein Castle – or Schloss Neuschwanstein, as it’s called in German – translates as New Swan Stone, named after the medieval tale Swan Night – a fitting moniker given its cloud-kissing hilltop position in the Bavarian Alps. The castle, famed for its white limestone exterior and contrasting blue turrets served as inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland. Construction of the castle began in 1868, commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Travellers visiting Neuschwanstein Castle must get tickets from the nearby village of Hohenschwangau. See above.
Eltz Castle
Positioned in its evocative namesake forest, Eltz Castle is regarded as among Europe’s most beautiful. The 900-yearold structure – remarkably unaffected by the continent’s countless wars – has been in the same family since its inception, with many of its original furnishings still there. Eight 35-metre towers rising from the massive rock upon which it is perched add to its medieval fairytale magnificence, while inside awaits European artworks, suits of armour, and treasures of silver and gold. The surrounding Eltz Forest is also an official nature reserve.
Heidelberg Castle
A striking symbol of German history, Heidelberg Castle comprises magnificent ruins that rise defiantly above the Neckar River. The fortress’s foundations were first laid in the early 1200s, and over the following centuries underwent numerous additions and renovations due to damage through wars, fires, and even massive lightning strikes. By the late 1600s, the castle was left in a state of ruin and over the next couple of centuries its beautiful, crumbling remains came to be admired as a symbol of romanticism. By the 19th century, the national monument had become a bone fide tourist attraction, and today attracts around one million visitors per year.
Lichtenstein Castle
Often referred to as the ‘fairytale castle of Württemberg’, Lichtenstein Castle balances above an 800-metre cliff face on the edge of the Swabian Alps. The castle – whose name translates as ‘shining stone’ – was built in the mid-19th century under the orders of King Frederick’s cousin Count Wilhelm von Urach, and inspired by the 1826 novel, Lichtenstein, by William Hauff. The castle, still owned by descendants of the count, casts a shadow over the ruins of a medieval castle a few hundred metres away.
Sigmaringen Castle
The most dominant feature of its namesake town, Sigmaringen Castle also overlooks the Danube River and is the largest of the Danube Valley castles (a grouping which includes Austrian castles and a Unesco site). The original Sigmaringen Castle was constructed in the 11th century and underwent various expansions and renovations throughout the centuries, growing into the grand palace complex that remains today. A merging of medieval and Renaissance architecture, it also houses impressive artworks and historical artefacts, including one of Europe’s largest collections of weaponry.
Hohenzollern Castle
Hohenzollern Castle occupies a vast hilltop position in the Swabian Alps. The site’s original castle, built in the early 11th century, lasted around 400 years before being completely destroyed following a near-year-long siege, while parts of its replacement fortress remain among the current incarnation which was built in the mid-19th century. Hohenzollern was inspired by the Gothic Revival styles of France and England, and, in 1945, briefly became the home of the former Crown Prince Wilhelm of Germany, son of the last German monarch, Kaiser Wilhelm II. Now it hosts a plethora of events and exhibitions, including one of Germany’s most beautiful Christmas markets.
