In late Gothic times, the dukes changed the fortress into a palace more representative of their increasing wealth and power, replacing some of the defenses with more ornamental additions in the mid-1500s, bastions were added that are still standing today. Its origins go as far back as 973, and a castle has stood on the islands ever since, becoming the seat of the Dukes of Mecklenberg. In fact, it is sometimes nicknamed "Nueschwanstein of the North."
Its onion-domed cupolas, tea caddy tower, and pointed spires mark it as an example of Romantic Historicism, and it joins Nueschwanstein as one of Germany's prime examples of the style. Only a bridge connects it to Schwerin, the capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in northern Germany. Unlike many other castles, which sit atop steep hills or perch on rocky crags for defense, Schwerin Castle is almost entirely surrounded by water. One of the top Christmas markets in Germany is held here on two weekends in early December. Guided tours through show- and staterooms include glimpses into the family history, as well as royal treasures and gold and silver work, paintings, and royal robes. The castle is still owned and occupied by the Hohenzollerns and is open to tourists year-round. The sumptuous palace sits inside a walled fortress, entered through an impressive gate. In 1850, King Frederick William IV built the current neo-Gothic fortified complex, considered a masterpiece of 19 th-century military architecture. A bigger and more fortified replacement was built in 1454 but had fallen to ruin by the beginning of the 19 th century. The original castle was built in the early 1200s but was destroyed in 1423. Their monarchy ended with the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II at the end of World War I, and many of the dynasty's royal artifacts are displayed here, including the Prussian royal crown and items belonging to Frederick the Great. Official site: The third castle to stand on top of this mountain in Baden-Württemberg, Hohenzollern Castle is the ancestral home of the imperial family of Germany, the House of Hohenzollern. Īddress: Neuschwansteinstraße 20, Schwangau You can combine Nueschwanstein with King Ludwig's equally fanciful hunting lodge on a 10.5-hour Royal Castles of Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Day Tour from Munich. So popular is this tourist attraction that you need to reserve a visit several days in advance. The Throne Room, the Singers' Hall, Ludwig's bedroom, and other grandiose rooms are decorated in murals, mosaics, arcades and carved oak. Only 15 of the 200 rooms planned for the castle were completed before Ludwig's death in 1886, but "rooms" hardly conveys the size or grandeur of the finished halls. The result is a cross between neo-Romanesque and neo-Gothic mixed with fairy tale, an exuberant concoction of spires, turrets, battlements, and pitched roofs set atop a rocky crag surrounded by forest.Īs though a painted backdrop for this stage set, a jagged line of Alpine foothills rises behind the castle and forms breathtaking views that are framed by its windows. Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.Ĭonceived in the mind of "Mad" King Ludwig of Bavaria as a fantasy retreat from the world, Nueschwanstein incorporates myth, Romantic literature, grand opera, and Teutonic chivalry in its architectural and decorative palette.
Plan your family's travels guided by this list of the best castles in Germany. These have been chosen as the best places to visit for their visual impact, historical significance, variety, and tourist experience. Instead, we have chosen those that represent the epitome of castledom, castles that inspired the Grimm Brothers, those whose turrets, towers, and drawbridges will make you feel as though you've stepped back centuries – or into a fairy tale.
Of necessity, many beautiful and fascinating castles have been left out: beautiful in-town castle/palaces like Dresden Royal Castle smaller manor-house castles like waterside Mespelbrunn Torgau's Early Renaissance Castle Hartenfels, where Martin Luther preached or Burghausen, reputed to be the largest castle in the world. These range from the poster child of castles everywhere – Nueschwanstein – to little-known ruins of medieval fortresses, and are so plentiful that this list can only spotlight a small fraction of them. With as many as 20,000 castles in Germany, tourists have plenty to choose from. We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )
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