Ten of The Most Amazing German Castles Worthy of a Visit

Germany features the biggest collection of beautiful castles worth seeing for any visitor of all European countries. Germany has numerous castles ranging from huge defensive wonders to amazing fairy tale castles that emerged right out of a storybook. Some of these huge castles were constructed for the protection of people, while others resulted out of Kings’ pleasures. German castles serve as inspiration, all through the times till date, for many. Brothers Grimm’s fairy tales all revolved around German castles, while Walt Disney used one of them as an inspiration for developing Sleeping Beauty’s castle in Disneyland.

Visiting a German castle is like stepping into some fairy tale scene where you see castles sitting on the top of mountain peaks with their towers touching the sky. Germany is popular for its castles, each associated with a history of dukes, knights and their wars and victories. These German castles depicted a luxurious history and were used by the families of their founders. Treasures of these castles include weapons, paintings, furniture and artefacts from that time.

During the Medieval period, Germany existed as a group of small states, and this unstable situation led to the creation of fortified, secure castles in different parts of the country. There are more than 25,000 castles, small and big, in Germany. Some of them exist as only debris, while many are well-preserved and restored to their existing glory in the form of restaurants, hotels, and museums.

If you are visiting Germany, seeing these wonderful castles should be at the top of your itinerary list. Here are the top 10 most amazing castles in Germany to consider:

10. Wartburg Castle

Established in the Middle Ages, the Wartburg Castle is more beautiful than the surrounding lush-green forest of Thuringian and Eisenach town. This castle was the venue for one of the most significant historical events. Martin Luther, the Protestant reformer, took refuge in this castle in support of Frederick the Wise after his suspension by the Pope. He translated the New Testament into German in the years 1521 to 1522.

In the centuries following this event, the castle was deteriorated and ignored. However, in the 19th century, Wartburg Castle was restored and is today one of the most popular tourist attractions.

9. Lowenburg Castle

A romantic castle from the Medieval Age, Lowenburg Castle means ‘Lion’s Castle’. It is located in the Bergpark Wilhelmshohe and represents itself as the Knights castle.

The castle’s interior includes living rooms designed to match the knight’s taste. It exists as ruins and depicts the wars and destruction it witnessed. Most of the parts of the castle are open for public visits, and parts of the living rooms are transformed into a museum. Guided tours are available for visiting this museum, and anybody travelling to Germany can mark this castle ruins on the itinerary.

8. Marksburg Castle

The only Middle Ages castle that did not get destroyed, Marksburg Castle, is located above the town of Braubach in Germany. The amazing fortress sits on a high cliff protecting it from enemy forces, and this is why it has survived for more than 700 years. It was mainly used for protection by people of the time rather than as a royal residence. It was built by the Eppstein family in 1117 to protect the town and reinforce the facilities.

The castle was rebuilt constantly by noble counts in the 14th and 15th centuries. In 1900, the castle was finally sold to the German Castle Association. Many visitors travel to The Rhine every year to visit the Marksburg Castle though there are many other sight-seeing places in the valley.

7. Albrechtsberg Castle

One of the most magnificent Middle Ages castles, Albrechtsberg Castle is a late-Gothic creation situated on a peak by the river Elbe in Meissen. In the 10th century, a fortress existed on this site, and 500 years later, this castle was constructed in its place. It adopted the title of trendsetter not just in the architectural context but for its timeless beauty.

The beautiful castle is located at a distance of 25 km from Dresden. It is the oldest German castle and is turned into a museum attracting millions of visitors worldwide every year. A visit to this castle is a popular itinerary for travellers.

6. Schloss Nordkirchen

Renowned as ‘the Versailles of Germany’, the Schloss Nordkirchen castle is surrounded by a canal on all sides. This broad canal resembles a moat though Moats were no longer in function during the time this palace was built and were used for show only. The huge dimension of the castle and the impressive garden design make this creation so special. The castle was originally a residence of the Prince of Munster in the 18th century.

Today, this castle is one of the tourist attractions in Germany and makes a popular day trip for travellers. There is a restaurant in the castle’s interior, and you can enjoy delicious local dishes in an extravagant atmosphere.

5. Charlottenburg Palace

One of Berlin’s most popular tourist attractions, Charlottenburg Palace is the largest of all the castles in the city. It is a living example of the Prussian Kings’ skills and passions for architecture. The palace features many wonderful gardens in baroque style kept open for public visit. The palace and its gardens were constructed in the 19th century originally. However, after the Second World War’s bombardment, a serious requirement for reformation on this site emerged. Efforts were made in this direction after 1950.

Festivals, celebrations, and events occur at regular intervals within the premise of this monument, attracting people from around the globe. Charlottenburg Palace Park is one of the most popular parks in Berlin and a must-visit place for German visitors.

4. Heidelberg Castle

Considered to be one of the most distinguished landmarks in Germany, the ruins of Heidelberg Castle are world-famous. This amazing castle stands on a hill 300 feet high near the city of the same name. It combines multiple buildings around a central courtyard, each reflecting the individual period from German architecture. This is one of the German castles destructed by France, and it was never again reformed to its existing glory. It was constructed in the 13th century and destroyed during the War of the Grand Alliance in the 17th century. In the 19th century, the castle ruins attracted attention; today; it draws millions of visitors annually.

However, there is something special about the place which makes a visit to it an unforgettable experience. One can use group tours organised to explore the historic castle interiors.

3. Schwerin Castle

Situated on a tiny island in Schwerin Lake, this castle was constructed at the place of an old castle which existed thousands of years ago. The old castle was believed to be home to many nobles and dukes. It is also said that a ghost called Petermannchen also lived there. The benign ghost was only a few feet high and wandered in the entire palace to ensure things were in order.

During the 19th century, the dukes of Mecklenburg designed the castle and its shape and form are retained. In 1913, a fire destroyed about one-third of the palace, which underwent exterior reconstruction. Later, the castle was turned into a museum. Today, the castle serves as a seat of the state parliament. It is considered to be one of the most amazing German castles in Europe.

2. Hohenzollern Castle

Located in the south of Germany, Hohenzollern Castle was designed to resemble a Knight’s castle in Middle Ages. It is situated on the peak of the mountain Hohenzollern, and it offers beautiful countryside views, making the castle one of the most amazing in its class. This romantic castle was once the house of the Imperial family when the monarchy existed before the First World War.

It was considered a seat of power and consisted of artefacts from that time and the rule. After 1952, the castle was equipped with historical artefacts and art pieces from the collections of the royal family. It also contains the crown of Kaiser Wilhelm II and King Frederick the Great’s uniform. Many royal family members were buried in the castle, and it is open to the public today.

1. Neuschwanstein Castle

Ludwig II (who was often called the Fairy Tale King) king constructed the highly romantic castle using his personal funds to get a private retreat for himself. This castle resembles a fairy tale castle, one of the most popular European tourist destinations. The castle was created to interpret the ideals of the Middle age and was dedicated to a great composer of the time, Richard Wagner.

A few weeks after the King’s death in 1886, the castle was opened for public visits and today; it is one of the most visited castles in the world. What makes this castle so special and famous is its incredible beauty resembling a creature emerging from a fairy tale. Though resembling a medieval creation, the castle is equipped with extraordinary technology from the time. One can find air heating systems all over inside the castle and toilets with automatic flushing systems on each floor. It is definitely a charming and interesting place that you would want to learn about. It is one of the most popular German castles capturing sights and attention from all corners of the globe.

Visit these amazing German castles to experience their beauty and understand the historical importance associated with them. And if you have visited any of them, or would like to one day, let us know in the comments below.