Castles of Germany - the grace of antiquity and the romance of the Middle Ages... Famous castles in Germany Castles built in the German style

Germany medieval

Castles, knights, secrets and treasures, or a journey through the Middle Ages.

What could be more exciting and romantic than a trip to real medieval castles! This is not just a banal movement in space, but also a unique opportunity to try to travel back in time! Such a trip, without a doubt, will be of great interest not only to history buffs who are keen on reconstructing events of bygone days, but also to the majority of ordinary people who may not have extensive knowledge in this area. It's no secret that a huge number of castles are concentrated on the territory of modern Germany. And, despite the fact that most of the most famous and famous castles are located in Bavaria, there is also something to see in other regions of Germany!

Schlossburg

One of the most remarkable places can undoubtedly be considered SchlossBurg (http://www.schlossburg.de). Located near the town of Solingen in North Rhine-Westphalia, Schlossburg Castle is one of the largest restored castles in Western Germany. Built by Count Berg, the castle was the center of the Bergischen Landes for centuries. The grounds of SchlossBurg are vast and ideal for walking, the castle is located high on a hill and has wonderful views from its towers. On the territory of the castle there is a museum that allows all visitors to form their own idea of the history and culture of the Middle Ages and how life took place on the territory of the castle in past centuries.

It is believed that the period of construction of the castle dates back to 1060. The first mention of Adolf II Berg, who erected the castle, dates back to 1101. The original name of the castle read Neuenberge or "new mountain". In the 13th - 14th centuries, the castle was the main residence of the family of the counts of Berg. It is believed that after restoration in the 15th century, the castle will receive the status of a “hunting castle” and at the same time its modern name SchlossBurg. After these events, the castle continued to be used for various ceremonies, but in 1648, during the Thirty Years' War, Swedish troops destroyed the walls and gates of the castle. By 1700, a partial reconstruction was carried out, the main building of the castle was used for administrative purposes, but by 1950 the castle had lost its primary importance and was destroyed into ruins. It was only by 1887 that an association for the preservation and restoration of the castle was created and, starting in 1890, its large-scale reconstruction was carried out.

Currently appearance The castle is identical to the medieval one. The main assets of the museum are the historical halls - the Knight's Hall, the Hall of Ancestors, the Hall with a Fireplace, as well as the gazebo and chapel located on the territory. Numerous wall paintings depict various scenes from the life of the Count Berg family and reflect historical events Bergischen lands. Visitors can freely move throughout the entire interior of the castle, exploring numerous corridors and secret passages, soaking in the spirit of the Middle Ages and the atmosphere of those times. A huge part of the museum is occupied by exhibitions of weapons and household items, and most of the rare exhibits are in excellent condition and are of great interest to connoisseurs and fans of historical reconstructions.

Eltz Burg

Eltz Castle (http://burg-eltz.de/) is rightfully one of the three largest and most famous castles in Germany. Built in the 12th century in the lands of Rhineland-Palatinate, in a gorge on the banks of the small river Eltz, this castle remained one of the few castles that were not captured or destroyed. At the beginning of the 13th century, the castle was divided between three brothers, and since then the three kings lived in the castle with their families side by side, the various branches of the Eltz family being distinguished by their coats of arms and the names of the houses located in the castle.

It seems absolutely surprising that at present the castle is still privately owned by the descendants of the Eltz family, and it is rumored that family members even live in the castle in rooms hidden from the prying eyes of tourists. In part of the castle’s interior there is currently a museum where tourists can enter accompanied by a guide. Tours lasting 40 minutes begin regularly in the castle courtyard, and travelers have the opportunity to see the interior in its original form with their own eyes, but photography and video filming inside the castle is strictly prohibited.

Car parking is located about a kilometer from the castle, and you can get to the castle by a special “shuttle bus” or on foot. By the way, there are several routes around the castle walking routes of varying lengths, and in sunny weather you can get a lot of pleasure and an additional boost of energy.

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Marksburg

Marksburg (http://www.marksburg.de/) - one of the most picturesque castles in the German states of Rhineland-Palatinate is located in the town of Braubach, just a 20-minute drive from the city of Koblenz, proudly rising above the Rhine at an altitude of 150 meters . Marksburg is the only castle in these lands that was never captured by French troops in the 17th century, which is why it has been preserved in its unchanged medieval appearance. Despite the fact that the castle was first mentioned in 1231, research has shown that a castle existed in this place at the beginning of the 12th century, so we can say with a high degree of confidence that the castle was founded before 1200. The first owners of the castle were the Von Eppstein family, after 1280 the castle came into the possession of Count Eberhard II von Katzenelnbogen, and after another 200 years the owner of the castle became the Count of Hessen. By the beginning of the 19th century, the German Empire collapsed, the castle came into the possession of the Duchy of Nassau, after which it turned into a prison. By the beginning of the 20th century, the castle was purchased by the German Castle Society, and by 2002 it was included in the list of objects world heritage UNESCO. Currently, Marksburg is open to tourists throughout the year; visiting is only possible with excursion groups. The duration of the excursion is about 50 minutes, and during this time visitors can walk through all the interior rooms of the castle, see the knights' hall, chambers, chapel, feel the spirit of the Middle Ages and enjoy the richness of the castle's decoration. Excursions in English, French or Japanese are available for foreign tourists; photography and video shooting are allowed inside the castle, and all detailed information on travel, parking and ticket prices is available on the castle’s official website. From the height there is a stunning view of the Rhine Valley, towns and settlements located along the river and vineyards scattered along the steep banks.

Germany, Rheinland-Pfalz, Burg Marksburg — Rhine view from Marksburg.

Burg Lahneck

Lahneck Castle (http://www.burg-lahneck.de/) is located near the famous Marksburg Castle, at the confluence of the Lahn and Rhine rivers. The castle was built in 1226 by the Archbishop of Mainz, who thus protected the borders of his possessions, after which the castle changed hands many times. During the war in 1633, the castle was occupied by the Swedes and devastated, after which it stood abandoned for a long time, and only at the beginning of the 19th century the Lahneck castle, along with some others, was transferred to the Duchy of Nassau. In 1907 the castle was purchased by Admiral Robert Mischke and his descendants have owned the castle ever since. The first floor of the castle has been open to visitors since 1930, while the third floor is still residential. Currently, historical reconstruction festivals are regularly held on the castle grounds.

Stolzenfels Palace

Stolzenfels Castle (Stolzenfels - http://www.schloss-stolzenfels.de) is located in the district of the same name in Koblenz on the banks of the Rhine, on the opposite bank from the mouth of the Lahn River. The castle was built by the Archbishop of Trier in 1242 just on the border of the Trier possessions and was supposed to become a customs house on the Rhine. During the period of hostilities during the so-called Thirty Years' War, the castle was actively used and was destroyed, after which it stood in ruins until 1840, and by 1842 it was restored as the summer residence of the Prussian King Frederick William IV. Currently, the castle is open to the public, you can get inside as part of excursion groups, excursions are conducted in German, and foreign tourists issue special booklets with short excursion in English. It is noteworthy that photography and video shooting in all interior rooms of the castle is prohibited, and all visitors upon entry are given oversized felt slippers, which are worn over street shoes and protect the floor coverings from damage. The interior of the castle is striking in its splendor; the most impressive is the knight's hall with an exhibited collection of weapons and ancient armor. Stolzenfels Castle is rightfully considered one of the most outstanding and significant monuments of the era of Rhine Romanism. All detailed information for visitors is available at English version official website.

Knightly romance of modern German landscapes.

Castles love the account

In Germany, there are more than 25 thousand palaces, castles and fortresses that served as residences of noble families and also had military-strategic functions. Many have survived to this day only as romantic ruins, such as the famous ruins at Heidelberg (or Heidelberg). Some remained in the ownership of the descendants of ancient German families, others became museums, hotels, and tourist centers.

Golden twenty

It is difficult to argue about the beauty of castles as a matter of taste, so any attempts to create an objective rating of the most beautiful or famous of them are doomed in advance to protests from connoisseurs or those who have been to some other places. However, from the favorites that regularly appear in various German lists, it is quite possible to compile the Golden Twenty of medieval stone attractions in Germany.

Eras and styles

The main thing is not to be scattered, limiting yourself - despite all the temptations - to only castles, at least founded in the Middle Ages, that is, leaving for later the creations of masters of later times and styles - Renaissance, Baroque, historicism and classicism. For example, the famous Neuschwanstein, built by the Bavarian king Ludwig II in the 19th century, so to speak, based on ancient knightly castles.

Eltz Castle hid from the whole world in a quiet forest a few kilometers from the banks of the Moselle River. His image adorned the 1960 DM 500 banknote. For many centuries it has been owned by representatives of the same noble family - already in the 33rd generation. Erected, as experts suggest, in the 12th century, it was first mentioned in the deed of gift of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa.

This 14th-century castle is located at 546 Rhine kilometers near the town of Kaub. It is considered one of the most unusual and picturesque castles in Germany. It was built in the middle of the river specifically to house a customs post, which collected fees from merchants and captains for transporting goods until 1876. The castle garrison numbered from 20 to 54 people.

One of the most picturesque castles in the Middle Rhine Valley, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Situated on a 160-meter rocky outcrop, it is the best preserved of all the castles in this part of the river. The beginning of construction dates back to the first half of the 13th century. In the 1990s, the Japanese wanted to move the castle to Miyako Island, but the deal failed and they limited themselves to building a copy of it.

In the Middle Ages, this castle, strategically located above the Moselle River, was used to collect customs duties - mainly for the transport of wine. Directly from the castle, traffic along the river could be blocked using a special chain. It was heavily destroyed in the 17th century and restored with private funds during the era of German romanticism. Since 1978 it has been in city ownership.

For centuries, the Nuremberg Fortress with the castle located on its territory was the place where German history was made. This city began to play a special role in the Holy Roman Empire in the middle of the 11th century. From 1050 to 1571, all its emperors stayed here, sometimes while passing through, sometimes for longer stays. long terms, and Kaiserburg was considered one of their most important residences.

Its current owners were the first in Germany to organize a historical knightly tournament in their castle. This was more than 30 years ago. The history of this castle, located on a plain and once surrounded on all sides by water, begins in the 12th century. It is located near Cologne in the Eifel region. The traditional Christmas and Easter markets are also especially popular here.

Located just 60 kilometers from Dresden, it is considered the most beautiful knight's castle Saxony. It has already repeatedly (even during the GDR times) become the location for filming fairy-tale films. Its history goes back more than six centuries. It has retained its Gothic character, although some parts of it have been rebuilt and expanded. The first written mention is dated October 4, 1384.

Wernigerode Castle was first mentioned in chronicles of the 12th century. It was erected on the route that the German emperors took to their hunting grounds in the forests of the Harz. In 1979, the castle and town were turned into a film set. open air. Director Mark Zakharov came here to the GDR to film Grigory Gorin's play "That Same Munchausen" with Oleg Yankovsky in the title role.

The former residence of the German noble family of Wittelsbach. The castle is located in the Bavarian city of the same name near the border with Austria. Stretching for more than a kilometer on a narrow, elongated ridge, it is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the “Longest Castle in the World.” The first mention of a fortification in Burghausen dates back to 1025. Destroyed in Napoleonic times and rebuilt in 1896.

This northernmost castle in Bavaria is located near the city of Ludwigsstadt. Its oldest parts date back to the 12th century, and the first mention dates back to 1242. The current main wing of the castle was built in the Renaissance style in the mid-16th century. In 1944, the German admiral Wilhelm Canaris was held here for some time under arrest, and later hanged by decision of a special court of the Third Reich.

The ducal residence in the Bavarian city of Landshut. The castle was founded in 1204 on a hill near the Isar River after the expansion of the Wittelsbach family's possessions in Lower Bavaria. During the reign of Frederick II Staufen, the castle became one of the main centers of power of the Holy Roman Empire. The guests of the castle were the legendary Minnesingers Tannhäuser and Walter von der Vogelweide.

This castle, located fifty kilometers from Stuttgart, is considered family nest the Swabian dynasty of the same name, whose representatives rose to prominence during the Middle Ages. IN XV-XVI centuries they became rulers of Brandenburg and Prussia, and in 1871 they took the throne of the German Kaisers. The castle fortress was probably built in the 11th century. The first mention dates back to 1267.

It is located in the valley of the Lene River, a tributary of the Ruhr. According to legends, it was built in the 12th century by representatives of the dynasty of counts Berga. In recent centuries, the castle housed a garrison, a home for the disabled, a criminal court, a shelter for the poor, a prison, a hospital, and in 1912 it was here that the first youth camp in Germany (Jugendherberge) was founded - a special hotel for school groups.

This castle in Rhineland-Palatinate is considered the cradle of German democracy. In 1832 it became the site of a major national holiday, whose 30 thousand participants for the first time in Germany spoke out for political freedoms, national unity and civil rights. The first fortification on this site was erected in the 11th century. The castle acquired its current appearance in the mid-19th century during the era of romanticism.

Located a few kilometers from the Lahn River between the cities of Weilburg and Wetzlar. It still remains in the possession of the descendants of the ancient count and princely family. The first written mention dates back to 1246. The castle was significantly expanded in the 15th-17th centuries. In the middle of the 19th century, reconstruction was carried out in the neo-Gothic style. The premises contain items from the collection of the 13th-19th centuries.

Built on a rocky cliff above the Rhine, this 13th-century castle is considered one of the main symbols of Rhineland romance and is included in the World Heritage List. It was heavily destroyed in the 18th century. Later it came into the possession of the Prussian Prince Friedrich Wilhelm and was restored in the historicist style. In 1975, the castle was bought by opera singer Hermann Hecher, who then invested significant funds into its renovation.

17. Castle Furstenberg - Burg Furstenberg

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Middle Rhine is the ruins of Fürstenberg Castle in the Mainz-Bingen district. It was erected in 1219 to protect the lands of the Archbishopric of Cologne in this region. It was destroyed in 1689 by the French during the War of the Palatinate Succession and was not restored after that. Similar plans were developed in the 19th century, but they remained on paper.

In the 19th century, these most famous medieval ruins in Germany were deliberately not restored, so as not to damage the aura of romance. Before its destruction during the War of the Palatinate Succession, the residence of the Electors of the Palatinate was located here above Heidelberg. The first written mention of the castle dates back to 1225. At the beginning of the 15th century it was expanded and strengthened, turning it into a fortress.

The castle above Quedlinburg belonged to Heinrich the Fowler, the first German king from the Saxon dynasty. According to legend, in 919 it was at this rock that the then Duke of Saxony was offered the crown of the East Frankish Kingdom - the state that preceded the Holy Roman Empire and modern Germany. The founder of the empire was the son of King Henry - Otto I the Great.

The last one in our Golden Twenty of medieval German castles, but far from the last in its significance. Founded in 1073, Wartburg Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 1521 - 1522, the reformer and founder of German Protestantism, Martin Luther, hid here under the name "Junker Jörg". It was in the Wartburg that he translated the New Testament into German.

Knightly romance of modern German landscapes.

Castles love the account

Golden twenty

Eras and styles

For centuries, the Nuremberg Fortress with the castle located on its territory was the place where German history was made. This city began to play a special role in the Holy Roman Empire in the middle of the 11th century. From 1050 to 1571, all its emperors stayed here, sometimes while passing through, sometimes for longer periods, and Kaiserburg was considered one of their most important residences.

Located just 60 kilometers from Dresden, it is considered the most beautiful knight's castle in Saxony. It has already repeatedly (even during the GDR times) become the location for filming fairy-tale films. Its history goes back more than six centuries. It has retained its Gothic character, although some parts of it have been rebuilt and expanded. The first written mention is dated October 4, 1384.

Wernigerode Castle was first mentioned in chronicles of the 12th century. It was erected on the route that the German emperors took to their hunting grounds in the forests of the Harz. In 1979, the castle and town were turned into an open-air film set. Director Mark Zakharov came here to the GDR to film Grigory Gorin's play "That Same Munchausen" with Oleg Yankovsky in the title role.

This castle, located fifty kilometers from Stuttgart, is considered the ancestral seat of the Swabian dynasty of the same name, whose representatives rose to prominence during the Middle Ages. In the 15th-16th centuries they became the rulers of Brandenburg and Prussia, and in 1871 they took the throne of the German Kaisers. The castle fortress was probably built in the 11th century. The first mention dates back to 1267.

This castle in Rhineland-Palatinate is considered the cradle of German democracy. In 1832, it became the site of a major public holiday, 30 thousand participants of which for the first time in Germany spoke out for political freedoms, national unity and civil rights. The first fortification on this site was erected in the 11th century. The castle acquired its current appearance in the mid-19th century during the era of romanticism.

17. Castle Furstenberg - Burg Furstenberg

I recently read that there are as many as 4,280 castles in Germany and decided to make for you a selection of the most picturesque and visited of them. I have little experience visiting local castles - I have only been to the castles of the federal states of Saxony and Baden-Württemberg, but in Bavaria there are even more castles worthy of attention. I propose to understand the topic of German castles together.

At all times, castles in Germany were built to protect territories and were a symbol of power. Castles were often built at strategic points - on top of mountains or along important trade routes. The appearance of many German castles changed over the centuries - they were destroyed by fires or destroyed by enemies, after which the castles were rebuilt. New owners added additional buildings to the castles and changed their style. The selection that I will share with you today includes both powerful castle-fortresses and elegant buildings designed to highlight the refined taste of kings.

To make it easier to understand where each castle is located, I am posting a map of Germany with all the castles from the article marked on it.

Castle name: Hohenzollern Castle
: 50 km south of Stuttgart
: from 85 Euro two ways
Entrance fee: 7 Euro (visit to the castle complex without the interior) or 12 Euro (visit to the castle complex and interior)

The castle belongs to the famous European Hohenzollern dynasty, which ruled Prussia until the end of the First World War. The castle is located at an altitude of 855 meters above sea level on the top of Mount Zollerberg in the foothills Swiss Alps. Built in the 11th century, the castle was completely destroyed after a siege in 1423. After the 18th century, the castle lost its strategic importance and was abandoned. In the 19th century, King Frederick William IV rebuilt the castle in a neo-Gothic style to glorify the Hohenzollern dynasty. To this day, the castle remains privately owned by the descendants of the great dynasty. Many representatives of this family are buried in the castle cemetery, including Grand Duchess Kira Kirillovna Romanova, who married the Prince of Germany and Prussia.

Among the exhibits in the castle are the crown of William II, an extensive art gallery, personal belongings of Frederick the Great and a letter from George Washington expressing his gratitude to the Hohenzollerns who took part in the American Revolutionary War. Today Hohenzollern Castle is one of the most visited castles in Germany (350 thousand visitors per year). We visited this castle during my studies at the city university in Germany. We arrived here by train and spent half a day at the castle. The castle offers magnificent panoramic views of the Black Forest.

Castle name: Moritzburg Castle
Castle location and nearest town: the castle is located within the city of Moritzburg and 14 km from Dresden
Airfare Moscow – Dresden: from 70 Euro two ways
Entrance fee: 8 Euro

Moritzburg Castle is one of the best examples of Baroque castles in Saxony. The castle has four round towers and stands on a symmetrical man-made island. The castle is named after Elector Moritz of Saxony, who ordered the construction of a hunting lodge in this area between 1542 and 1546. The surrounding forests and lakes were a favorite hunting ground for the Saxon kings. The castle is surrounded by a picturesque park, where you can have a snack in a small cafe.

The interiors of the castle are decorated with examples of rich baroque decor from the time of Augustus the Strong. The walls are framed in 17th century gilded leather. The furnishings of many rooms tell the story of a royal hunt. The collection of deer antlers is one of the most important of its kind. The largest collection of deer antlers (71 trophies) is displayed in the dining room. The age of most trophies is from 270 to 400 years; they were purchased or received as a gift. Among them are the heaviest deer antlers in the world, weighing 20 kg and almost 2 meters long! The porcelain room displays the best examples of Chinese, Japanese and Meissen porcelain. The porcelain depicts hunting scenes, exotic and mythological motifs, and animal figures. The 11 rooms of the castle are decorated with painted leather wallpaper from the 17th century. In the hallway there is a collection of royal carriages.

Currently, an exhibition is being held at Moritzburg Castle until February 25, 2018, where you can learn about the secrets of filming the children's fairy tale “Three Nuts for Cinderella,” which was filmed in this castle. You will look behind the scenes of your favorite fairy tale and see the costumes of its heroes. Tickets are available for pre-sale online.

Königstein Fortress

Name castle a: Koenigstein Fortress
Castle location and nearest town: 39 km southeast of
Entrance fee: 10 Euro (with lift) or 8 Euro (with walk)

A majestic fortress perched on and built into a mighty rock, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding area and the curving Elbe River, Saxon and Bohemian Switzerland. One of the most interesting fortresses in Germany in our opinion. You can reach the fortress on foot or by panoramic elevator. The height of the mountain on which the fortress stands is 240 meters.

The first mention of the fortress dates back to 1233, at that time the fortress belonged to the Czech Kingdom. Many important events for European history took place in the fortress. At the beginning of the 18th century, the alchemist Böttger, imprisoned in , was the first in Europe to obtain porcelain, which marked the beginning of the production of that same Meissen porcelain. During World War II, paintings from the Dresden Gallery were hidden in the castle. During the existence of the fortress (i.e., for almost 800 years), no attempts were made to capture it - it was so impregnable. The fortress survived several wars and is perfectly preserved.

Since 1955, the fortress has operated as an open-air museum. The Königstein Fortress Museum displays military and historical exhibits. On the territory of the fortress there is a restaurant In den Kasematten, a bakery and a brasserie called Napoleons Küche with outdoor seating. On the territory of the Königstein fortress there is the second deepest well in Europe.

With views of the fortress wall, you can take many interesting photographs from different angles, so I recommend setting aside at least half a day, or better yet a whole day, for a detailed inspection of the surroundings of the fortress. In the fortress you can take a tour or an audio guide (including in Russian). It will be convenient to combine a visit to Königstein with a visit to the bizarre rock formations of Bastei. Best time to visit - summer or spring, because... In winter, piercing winds are common here.

If you come to Prague, then you can get to the Königstein Fortress as part of a group excursion, which can be booked on a reliable website.

Castle name: Neuschwanstein Castle
Castle location and nearest town: 120 km southwest of
Airfare Moscow – Munich: from 40 Euro two ways
Entrance fee: 13 Euro

Have you seen the Walt Disney logo? fairytale castle Disney princesses? Do you know that it was based on the romantic Neuschwanstein Castle, located in dense forests German Bavaria? Rumor has it that it was this castle that inspired Tchaikovsky to create the ballet Swan Lake.

Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most visited castles in Germany. More than 1 million tourists come here every year. This majestic castle once belonged to King Ludwig II of Bavaria. The king was directly involved in the construction of the castle, which is why the castle is often called his creation. The castle was built from 1869 to 1886. Its height is 65 meters. It is located in a lowland, mountainous area almost on the border with Austria.

During the Romantic era - in the early 19th century - many castles in Germany were rebuilt, romanticizing the medieval way of life. King Ludwig II of Bavaria was significantly influenced by Richard Wagner's operas about medieval sagas and knights. This castle has become the embodiment fairy world sagas and heroes as imagined by the king. The king died before the castle was completed, which was opened to the public 7 weeks after his death. Thanks to its remote location in the Bavarian forests, Neuschwanstein Castle was not destroyed during World War II. Despite the appearance of the castle from the outside, inside it was equipped with the latest technology - an electric alarm system, flush toilets, central heating and telephones. the best photos Locks can be made from Mary's Bridge (Marienbrücke), which is often closed in winter due to the formation of ice.

Neuschwanstein Castle can be visited as part of individual excursion or group bus tour.

Castle name: Sigmaringen Castle
Castle location and nearest town: 105 km south of Stuttgart and 2.5 km from the city of Sigmaringen
Entrance fee: 9.5 Euro (guided tour) or 11.5 Euro (guided tour + visit to the armory)

Sigmaringen Castle is the former residence of the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen dynasty, from which the German emperors and kings of Prussia emerged. The castle is located on the water - on the banks of the Danube, which adds to its charm. Like Hohenzollern Castle, Sigmaringen Castle is located in the region mountain range Swabian Alb in the German state of Baden-Württemberg. The first castle in Sigmaringen appeared at the beginning of the 11th century. The Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen family took possession of the castle in the 16th century. In its architecture, the castle reminds me of buildings in historical center Dresden. The castle has 450 rooms. Its appearance was influenced by destruction during the Thirty Years' War, a devastating fire in 1893 and the subsequent restoration of the building.

The castle is notable for the fact that it houses one of the largest private collections of weapons in Europe - more than 3,000 examples of weapons and armor. The German multi-barreled weapon and the richly decorated helmet that once belonged to a watchman at the royal court deserve special mention. The collection includes not only European weapons, but also Persian weapons, as well as the complete uniform of a Japanese samurai. The castle contains a collection of torture instruments.

Beautiful photos of the castle can be taken from the opposite bank of the river. A visit to the castle can be combined with Hohenzollern Castle. Photography inside the castle is prohibited. Visiting the castle and museums is only possible as part of a guided tour. The tour is conducted in German, but a printout is issued in Russian.

Castle name: Wernigerode Castle
Castle location and nearest town: 126 km south of Hanover and 4 km from the city of Wernigerode
Airfare Moscow – Hannover: from 58 Euro two ways
Entrance fee: 7 Euro

Initially, on the site of Wernigerode Castle there was a fortress founded in the 12th century. At the end of the 17th century, the fortress was rebuilt into a castle in the Baroque style. Until 1929, the count's family lived in the castle, and in 1949 a museum was opened to the general public. This castle seems painfully familiar for a reason - after all, it was in the city of Wernigerode that the film “That Same Munchausen” was filmed. Many scenes of the film were filmed in the castle courtyard. To get to the castle, you will have to climb the mountain yourself or ride a train. There are two cafes on the castle grounds where you can relax after viewing the exhibition. The castle also has Observation deck with excellent views of the city.

The castle is the dominant feature of the city of the same name: it is impossible not to see it from anywhere in Wernigerode. The castle, along with three gardens and parks, has been a national cultural monument since 1999. There are excursions throughout Wernigerode, during which you can visit almost 50 chambers of the castle.

Castle name: Heidelberg Castle
Castle location and nearest town: within the city of Heidelberg
Entrance fee: 7 Euro (the price includes a ticket for the funicular, a visit to the German Pharmacy Museum and an inspection of a wine barrel), for an additional fee of 5 Euro it is possible to attend an excursion in English or German

Heidelberg Castle is located in the woods on the Königstuhl hill within the city of Heidelberg. The walls of a dilapidated red sandstone castle rise majestically above the famous western German university town on the banks of the Neckar River. The first mention of the castle, which was destined to become one of the greatest palaces of the Renaissance, dates back to 1225. This castle was main residence Electors of the Palatinate. At one time, the castle was visited by Martin Luther, Victor Hugo, and Mark Twain. Despite partial destruction, Heidelberg Castle is incredible romantic place, on whose terraces you want to walk for hours.

Before the outbreak of the Thirty Years' War, Heidelberg Castle boasted one of the most famous ensembles of buildings in the Holy Roman Empire. However, during the war at the end of the 17th century, the castle was completely destroyed, after which it was only partially restored. The world's largest wine barrel is stored in the castle cellars. The capacity of the barrel is 219 thousand liters! Rumor has it that 130 oak trees were used to create the barrel. On this moment The castle attracts tourists from all over the world - they know about it in the USA, Japan and beyond. The castle terraces offer postcard views of the Heidelberg skyline. Without a doubt, the castle is the main tourist magnet of the city. It is visited by 3 million tourists annually. At Heidelberg Castle you can take an audio guide in Russian, buy souvenirs and have a snack. I recommend setting aside at least 4-6 hours to explore the castle and walk: here you just want to explore every corner.

Castle name: Eltz Castle
Castle location and nearest town: 105 km south of Cologne
Airfare Moscow – Cologne: from 29 Euro two ways
Entrance fee: 10 Euro

Eltz Castle can often be seen in various ratings of must-see castles in Germany. It is one of my favorite German castles. The castle is located near the Moselle River between the cities of Koblenz and Trier on a hill 70 meters high. The unique location of the castle on an oval hill surrounded by dense forests gives it a special charm and charm. Eltz Castle throughout the history of its existence - i.e. For 8 centuries now, it has never been destroyed. 33 generations of the Eltz family lived in the castle. The castle was built to protect the trade route and combines different styles - from romance to baroque. Different generations of the family built their own buildings in the castle. Since the castle, due to its location, was impossible to build horizontally, it was built upward.

Eltz Castle has about 100 chambers with original interiors, dishes, and tapestries. There is a treasury, an armory, a knight's hall, and a chapel. The fact that the castle is considered a German heritage is evidenced by the image of Eltz Castle being printed on the 500 Deutsche Mark banknote, issued between 1965 and 1992. In addition, the castle served as the prototype for the Himmelsdorf settlement in the computer game World of Tanks. Eltz Castle can be visited on a private tour.

Castle name: Lichtenstein Castle
Castle location and nearest town: 56 km south of Stuttgart
Entrance fee: 2 Euro (entrance to the castle courtyard), 8 Euro ( sightseeing tour around the castle)

Liechtenstein Castle is another castle located in the German state of Baden-Württemberg in the Swabian Alb mountain range at an altitude of 817 meters. The castle grounds offer views of the nearby town of Reutlingen. The neo-Gothic style castle was built between 1840 and 1842. on the site of a destroyed medieval fortress. The castle has large collection historical weapons and armor.

Liechtenstein Castle was destroyed during the Second World War, however, thanks to the efforts of non-governmental organizations, it was quickly restored. At the moment, the castle belongs to the family of the Counts of Urach and is open to the public. A stone bridge leads to the castle. In 2009, the German adaptation of the fairy tale “Sleeping Beauty” was filmed at Liechtenstein Castle. The castle is pleasant because it is not as popular among tourists as its neighbor, Hohenzollern Castle.

Castle name: Mespelbrunn Castle
Castle location and nearest town: 71 km east of Frankfurt am Main
Airfare Moscow – Frankfurt am Main: from 39 Euro two ways
Entrance fee: 5 Euro (including excursion)

Mespelbrunn Castle is located on the territory of the city of the same name between Frankfurt am Main and Würzburg. The castle stands on the water surrounded by picturesque forests, which attracts thousands of tourists. Construction of the castle began in the 15th century. From the old days, only a round tower remained from Mespelbrunn Castle. During its existence, the castle changed from a fortification to a castle in the Renaissance style. It is interesting that to this day its owners, the Ingelheim family, live in the southern wing of the castle and even give tours of it.

The castle is popular among newlyweds in Germany - weddings are organized here. In summer and spring it is especially beautiful here - the castle park is fragrant with flowers and fresh greenery. There are many things you can do with a view of the castle and lake beautiful photo. The castle is definitely worth including on your central Germany itinerary.

Castle name: Wartburg Castle
Castle location and nearest town: 206 km west of Leipzig
Entrance fee: 7 Euro (includes a visit to the castle, Martin Luther’s office, library) or 10 Euro (the same + visit to the exhibition), photography is paid separately

You can expand the geography of your travels to castles in Germany by going to another German soil- Thuringia. Hidden in the local impenetrable forests is Wartburg Castle, the refuge of the reformer Martin Luther, where he translated the New Testament into German. During a tour of the castle, tourists are given the opportunity to explore its study room.

The castle was built in the Middle Ages and belonged to a noble noble family. It is located on a cliff 410 meters high. Open from the cliff interesting views to the nearby town of Eisenach. Rumor has it that this castle was one of the sources of inspiration for King Ludwig II when building Neuschwanstein Castle. Most of the castle's interior dates back to the 19th century.

Since 1999, Wartburg Castle has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is the most visited attraction in the federal state of Thuringia. For centuries, Wartburg Castle has been a place of pilgrimage for tourists from Germany and other countries due to its role in the spread of Christianity. Interestingly, several cities in the United States (founded by Lutherans), as well as a local German brand of car produced in East Germany, were named after Wartburg.

Castle name: Schwerin Castle
Castle location and nearest town: within the city of Schwerin and 109 km east of Hamburg
Airfare Moscow – Hamburg: from 58 Euro two ways
Entrance fee: 8.5 Euro (including photography permit)

A luxurious romantic castle located on an island on the lake. The castle was originally built in the 10th century as a fortification. Schwerin Castle, built in the neo-Renaissance style, is rightfully considered the pearl of northeastern Germany. Each of the castle facades is made in different architectural styles: Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance. Outwardly, it resembles the famous French castle of Chambord on the Loire. Previously, the castle in Schwerin was the residence of the Dukes of Schwerin, and currently the parliament of the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern sits there. The main attraction of the castle is Art Museum which exhibits paintings by Dutch and German artists. Also noteworthy is the collection of elegant Meissen porcelain from the 18th century. The outside of the castle looks much more interesting than the inside.

Schwerin Castle is surrounded by lakes and forests, as well as gardens of incredible beauty. The best images can be taken from a drone, although the ability to use it to photograph such objects is very limited in Europe. In summer you can have a snack at outdoor cafe directly under the main tower, in winter - in the castle café Schlosscafé inside. You can rent an audio guide at the castle for 2 Euros. You can go on a one-day excursion to Schwerin from Hamburg.

Castle name: Marienburg Castle
Castle location and nearest town: 27 km south of Hannover
Entrance fee: 9 Euro (tour of the castle) + 4 Euro (optional climb to the tower)

Marienburg Castle is a neo-Gothic castle located in northern Germany near Hannover. The castle was built from 1858 to 1869 by order of King George V as a birthday present for his wife Mary (by the way, the castle was named after her). The castle was used as a summer residence for the kings of the dynasty. The castle has 160 rooms, observation towers 30 meters high, a church and stables.

Currently it belongs to the crown prince of the dynasty, Ernst August. The castle hosts weddings, receptions and banquets. The castle has very interesting interiors with objects that convey the spirit of the era, including the crown of the Hanoverian dynasty. On a clear day, you should definitely climb the castle tower - you will be rewarded with excellent views of the surrounding area. The Knights' Hall at Marienburg Castle hosts concerts ranging from jazz and classical music to concerts and theater for children.

This concludes my list of the most picturesque castles in Germany. In conclusion, I want to say that it is most convenient to visit castles with a rented car or in a organized excursion– group or individual. Thanks to good train connections in Germany, almost all castles remote from cities can be reached by train. By the way, in the article “” I talked about how to travel on German railways and buy tickets. Most castles are open both in winter and summer. The exception is Eltz Castle, which opens at the end of March and is closed in winter.

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Germany is a country of magnificent castles. There are a huge number of them here, and many of them are among the most beautiful in the world. We decided to rank German castles, talking about each of them in detail. We have already written about all these castles separately, but now we will compile common list, assigning each of them a specific place. Evaluation criteria: beauty, history, number of restorations, etc. For each of the buildings there will be a link to a separate article, where you will find many interesting details. I ask you to share your impressions and leave feedback in the comments to the article.

We decided to include the 7 most beautiful castles in Germany in the list, and we will talk about each of them in this collection.

Let's start with the 7th place, where Johannisburg Castle is located. It is located in the city of Aschaffenburg, many consider it one of the most majestic castles of the Renaissance. It is located right on the banks of the Main, on the opposite side it is broken magnificent park. The proportions of Johannisburg are correct and precise, the facades of the buildings are built with perfect precision and stand out for their simplicity. The rather strict and symmetrical appearance of the facade is enlivened by the peaks in the central part of the roofs, decorated with ornaments, as well as corner turrets and donjons in the same architectural style. If not for these elegant elements, the rather austere castle would look very dull. The castle roofs are covered with a special roofing material – slate. We placed this castle in 7th place precisely because of its severity and cumbersomeness:

In sixth place is Hohenschwangau Castle, located in the picturesque area of Bavaria. Hohenschwangau is located near the town of Fussen, just a few hundred meters from the fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein, which is also on our list. The castle was designed by the artist-architect Domenico Quaglio; his task was to build a neo-Gothic style castle. Hohenschwangau served as the official summer and hunting residence of Maximilian II and his family. Interestingly, both World Wars did not affect . It is perfectly preserved and is now in the possession of the former royal family of Wittelbach. Around 300,000 tourists a year come from all over the world to admire this magnificent castle, which even boasts a piano that Wagner played.

Fifth place is Stolzenfels Castle on the Rhine, which looks a little like Hohenschwangau. The castle was built between 1242 and 1259 by the Archbishop of Trier, Arnold II. During the Thirty Years' War, Stolzenfels was used in every possible way by the warring parties. The castle was almost completely destroyed in 1689, after which it lay in ruins for almost 150 years. The castle was later restored by Frederick William of Prussia and became his residence. Since 2002, UNESCO has recognized it as part of the World Heritage Site. Now the castle is closed for another restoration, timed to coincide with the Garden Show 2011. 16 million euros have been allocated for the restoration of the castle, visiting is closed to tourists.

In fourth place is the Lion Castle - Levenburg. Among all the castles in Germany, it is unique in that it is designed as a romantic medieval ruin. Such a wonderful project of Levenburg arose as a result of the fantasies of William IX. Nevertheless, experts regard the castle as very important historical monument, the first neo-Gothic building in Germany. Unfortunately, Leuvenburg Castle was heavily damaged during World War II and has undergone major renovations. Now it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Germany and the city of Kassel

Let's move on to the three most beautiful castles in Germany. In third place is Eltz, built in the cozy valley of the Mossel River near Koblenz. Eltz is real medieval castle, dating back to the mid-twelfth century. Unlike other old castles in Germany, Eltz never saw serious battles; modern architecture. Eltz Castle was built on a 200-meter mountain spire and is surrounded on three sides by a river and dense forest. Its picturesque location and impressive architecture have made it one of the most popular castles in Germany. Two-thirds of the building is accessible to tourists, while the remainder is home to the 33rd generation of the Eltz family

In second place is the castle in the clouds - Hohenzollern. Built on the 855-metre mountain of the same name, this stunning example of German architecture was home to the Hohenzollern dynasty, which ruled Prussia from the Middle Ages until the end of the First World War. During a trip to Italy, Frederick William IV passed through southern Germany and decided to learn more about his family's history. He climbed to the top of the mountain and decided that it was the perfect place to build a memorial to his dynasty. Designed in the Gothic Renaissance style, Hohenzollern Castle was built in the likeness of medieval knight's castles

So, we smoothly approached the most beautiful castle not only in Germany, but throughout the world - this is the fabulous Neuschwanstein, a real treasure of the Alps. Located in the heart of Bavaria, this amazing castle was built by King Ludwig II, later nicknamed Ludwig the Madman. In a letter to his muse, the famous German composer, Richard Wagner, he said that he had always dreamed of building a castle in the style of the German Knights, in the very beautiful place, which could only be found

Opened to tourists in 1886 after Ludwig's death, Neuschwanstein Castle has become one of Germany's most popular tourist spots and the most photographed building in the country. More than 50 million people have visited this fairytale castle since its opening.

We told you about the most famous and beautiful German castles, if any of them interests you, you can follow the link and find out about it in detail