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Top 15 Castles to visit in Germany

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Top 15 Castles to visit in Germany

Germany is a country rich in history and home to some of the world鈥檚 most magnificent castles, from medieval fortresses to noble palaces, they鈥檙e all here. Castles are strong buildings from time past inhabited by rulers or important people. They were often built to provide safety and protection from attack and to display the owner’s rank and wealth. You can find castles on hilltops or surrounded by water to make them easier to defend. In Germany, you will find them scattered all across the country, some are still owned by the original families. One castle as awe-inspiring as the other, Germany hosts the world鈥檚 longest castle complex, and many of the country鈥檚 castles sit perched high above the surrounding scenery on hills and even cliff edges, graciously overlooking the nearby lands. While some have suffered the intense conditions of battle and war, they have stood the test of time while others have been restored to tell the stories of the past. Let鈥檚 take a look at the top 15 castles to visit in Germany.

1. Lichtenstein Castle

Often referred to as the 鈥渇airytale castle of W眉rttemberg鈥�, Lichtenstein Castle is undoubtedly gorgeous. The castle overlooks the Echaz valley near Honau, only a few hundred meters from the ruins of the medieval castle which inspired the book. Its name was inspired by the Wilhelm Hauff novel, also called Lichtenstein meaning, 鈥楽hining stone鈥�.

The castle, nestled away in the Swabian Alps, can be accessed by a stone bridge which stretches from one hill to another. Do not be mistaken by the castles鈥� small stature as it is one of the most impressive castles in Germany. The castle is famed for its historical armoury which brings in crowds from far and wide to participate in guided tours. The castles鈥� courtyard is also open to the general public, here you get to see the gun emplacements on display.

2. Marksburg Castle

The Marksburg Castle was built by the Lords of Eppstein. They are believed to have been one of the most powerful 12th-century families. It can be found on the peaks of a cliff in the Rhine Valley. The castle stood the test of time, withstanding the elements and enemy attacks.

The castle, still bearing all its impressive original features, is open to the public throughout the year. People come from far and wide to view the well-worn 鈥淜nights鈥� Stairway,鈥� staircase, the 鈥淕reat Battery鈥� which houses cannons and other weapons, the wine cellar, and the Great Hall.

3. Burg Eltz Castle

The Burg Eltz Castle can be found between the hills of the Eltz forest perch, not too far from the Moselle River between Koblenz and Trier. It was once home to the R眉benach, Rodendorf and Kempenich families.

Today, the Kempenich branch of the family still resides in a third of the castle while The R眉benach and Rodendorf families鈥� are open to the public. Visits can be made to this location seasonally as you catch a glimpse of the armoury and treasury which contains gold, silver and porcelain artefacts.

4. Wernigerode Castle

Wernigerode Castle, a safe haven during the middle ages, was offered to German emperors seeking refuge during their executions. It has since been refurbished in a聽baroque, romantic style manor after the original structure fell聽in what was known as the 鈥�30-year war鈥�.

The castle houses more than 40 rooms and was often inhabited by nobility and still contains most of its original furnishings. In 1930, parts of it were opened to the general public. Today, you can access other parts of the castle via museum tours. The tours consist of fixed displays as well as the special exhibitions on offer in the castle.

5. Albrechtsberg Castle

Albrechtsberg Castle overlooks the river Elbe in the German town of Meissen. This grand castle is home to some magnificent interiors and architectural splendours. Only high price and high-quality materials such as marble, the most kingly wood and the white sandstone from Saxony went into the construction of this castle.

Today, the castle acts as a private hotel and catering school with ten remarkable halls and saloons, a sun patio and a park scenery that are available for rent. Only 25km from Dresden, this stunning location also makes for a popular day trip.

6. Glucksburg Castle

This castle is home to the Dukes of Schleswig-Holstein and, at times, Danish Kings. The Glucksburg Castle is one of the most important Renaissance castles in northern Europe. It can be located on the Flensburg Fjord, a large lake which formed after a flood surrounded the grounds.

Sitting on the site of a former Cistercian monastery, Glucksburg Castles鈥� bricks were also re-used to create its stunning white exterior walls. The castle is named after the Duke鈥檚 motto, 鈥楪ott Gebe Gl眉ck Mit Frieden,鈥� which translates to, 鈥楪od grant happiness and peace鈥�. This can be viewed at the entrance accompanied by the Duke鈥檚 Coat of Arms is above the castle. 聽To share in this rich cultural heritage, Schloss Gl眉cksburg castle is now a museum.

7. Hohenschwangau Castle

Sitting on a hill above Lake Alpsee is a 19th-century palace in southern Germany popularly known as the Hohenschwangau Castle. Successive wars over the centuries left the castle in ruins. However, Crown Prince Maximilian rebuilt the castle according to the original plans in 1832.

The castle provides a lot of picturesque opportunities from its location amid the romantic mountain聽scenery in the village of Hohenschwangau.

8. Mespelbrunn Castle

In a tributary of the Elsava valley, within the Spessart forest is where you will find the Mespelbrunn Castle. The castle was built in the 15th century as a simple house as it stems from humble beginnings. Its hidden location in the quiet valley means that unlike most castles it has never suffered any damage at the hands of the war.

Often described as one of Europe鈥檚 loveliest castles, this late-medieval/early-Renaissance palace is located on the water, boasting a gravely striking moat.

The families who own and live in the castle open it up to the public during the year. It is one of the most visited water castles in Germany and聽a popular day trip from Frankfurt. 聽The castle is a popular tourist attraction and a famous Spessart landmark.

9. L枚wenburg Castle

The L枚wenburg Castle was built between 1793 and 1801 and is one of the earliest mock-medieval ruins of Continental Europe. Despite being an imitation of medieval architecture, it is one of the most beautiful structures in the world. You can find this magnificent castle in the serene surrounds of Bergpark Willhelmsh枚he its exterior resembles a semi-ruined medieval knight鈥檚 castle. It has high ceilings and elaborate designs, the interiors of this palace observe the characteristic layout of a Baroque country Schloss. The castle features grand apartments, an armoury, and a Neo-Gothic chapel.

10. Reichsburg Cochem Castle

The Reichsburg Cochem Castle can be seen towering over the town of Cochem along the Moselle River. However, the castle which stands there now is not the original 12th-century structure. It was obliterated by the troops of French King Louis XIV in 1689. After spending 180 years as a colourful stone ruin, it was brought and reconstructed by a wealthy businessman. Now, the gothic revival castle boasts a magnificent collection of Renaissance and Baroque furniture having retained most of its original Romanesque and gothic charm.

11. Schwerin Castle

A castle filled with towers and turrets, Schwerin Castle is a prime example of European historicist architecture. The island where it stands was, at one point, home to a 1000-year-old Slavic castle built in the 10th century. But it鈥檚 not just the history, the beautiful architecture and stunning location have the tourists flocking. Those with interest in the paranormal should also add this one to their list. Peterm盲nnchen is the resident ghost, said to be only a few feet high and wearing clothes from the 17th century.

Elected to become a World Heritage Site, Schwerin Castles is one of the most important works of romantic Historicism in Europe. Located on a cosy island in Lake Schwerin, the castle housed the Dukes and Grand Dukes of Mecklenburg. Today, the castle is a museum and used as a seat of the state parliament in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

12. Heidelberg Castle

On a backdrop of the K枚nigstuhl Hills鈥� thick green forests, Heidelberg Castle is one of the most famous ruins in the world. The castle鈥檚 figure dominates the view of downtown Heidelberg and is considered some of the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps. With its many masterpieces of Renaissance architecture and alluring garden, the castle was once celebrated as the 鈥渆ighth wonder of the world,鈥� in the 17th century.

13. Neuschwanstein Castle

Located amidst the breathtaking views of the Bavarian Alps, is Europe鈥檚 most famous one of all is Neuschwanstein Castle. This 19th-century Romanesque Revival palace sits atop a rugged hill overlooking the F眉ssen village of Hohenschwangau. With its rustic beauty, gorgeous architecture and picturesque surroundings, it鈥檚 easy to see why Neuschwanstein Castle is not only the most photographed building in Europe but one of the top tourist destinations.

14. Hohenzollern Castle

This beautiful castle is located atop Mount Hohenzollern. The Hohenzollern Castle has sweeping views of the stunning south German countryside. The English Gothic Revival castle was rebuilt to resemble a Knight鈥檚 medieval castle in the mid-19th century. Only the chapel of the original 11th-century castle remains. Today, Hohenzollern Castle is a museum which hosts treasures belonging to the royal family. It even houses the crown worn by Prussian kings and a uniform worn by Frederick the Great.

15. Wartburg Castle

With a view of the town of Eisenach, 410 meters above sea level, atop a hill in Thuringian Forest, sits Wartburg Castle. Built back in 1067, Wartburg Castle is one of the oldest and best-preserved castles in Germany. Its interiors date back to the 19th century. However, its 900-year-old decor is not nearly the most historically significant aspect of this famed fortress.

Wartburg Castle is the palace in which Martin Luther sought refuge while translating the New Testament into German in the early 16th century. Adolf Hitler also tried to have the castle鈥檚 cross taken down and replaced by a swastika in the 20th century. Wartburg is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the state of Thuringia.