Did you know that Germany has more than 20,000 castles? It sounds surreal, doesn’t it? The truth is that the country has one of the largest numbers of castles in the world. It is not only the quantity that is surprising but also the beauty of them. We can find in some parts of Germany beautiful castles and in excellent condition. Others even undergo very recent renovations. As the landscape changes, depending on the seasons, it is possible to visit the same castle, with a different spirit, depending on the time of the visit. So I want to leave you with a recommendation of 10 castles to visit this winter in Germany.
1. Burg Eltz
Built over 850 years ago on top of a 70-meter-high rock, the castle of Eltz is one of the most impressive buildings in Germany. It is believed to have been erected between the 11th and 12th centuries, throughout the Stauffe dynasty. The castle skirts the Eltz River – a tributary of the Moselle – on three of its four sides, which gave it a lot of political influence.
2. Neuschwanstein
Neuschwanstein Castle is an imposing 19th-century architectural palace on a mountain above the village of Hohenschwangau and close to Füssen (the last town on the Romantic Route) in southwest Bavaria and 130 km from Munich.
3. Burg Hohenzollern
Burg Hohenzollern, located in the so-called Swabian Alps, between the cities of Hechingen and Bisingen (less than 1h30 from Stuttgart), is one of the most imposing Neo-Gothic castles in Germany, belonging, today, to the Prussian Royal Family, more precisely Georg Friedrich Prince of Prussia and Sophie Princess of Prussia.
4. Lichtenstein
Lichtenstein Castle is located in the state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Neo-Gothic in style, its current construction dates from 1840 and was used to guard arms, armor, and paintings by Wilhelm I, count of Württemberg.
5. Reichsburg Castle
Reichsburg Castle is located in Cochem, a beautiful and small town on the banks of the River Moselle (Mosel) and which has numerous wineries in its surroundings. Cochem is also close to the cities of Cologne (about 1h40 by car – 118 km) and Frankfurt (about 2 hours by car – 170 km). Getting even closer to the city of Koblenz or Koblenz, in German (about 45 minutes by car – 55 km), a city famous for being a great place to stay for those who want to know the beautiful medieval castles and wineries of the Rhine valley in Germany.
6. Schweriner Schloss
One of the most worthwhile tours in northern Germany is to visit Schwerin castle. This small town is the capital of the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and, despite being the smallest German capital, it has a lot of interesting things to see.
7. Hohenschwangau
Hohenschwangau Castle was the first castle in the region and was built by King Maximilian II of Bavaria, who was to be the father of Ludwig II, who was the creator of Neuschwanstein Castle.
8. Wartburg
Wartburg, almost a thousand years old, has seen many historical events that took place on its premises. It has also served as an inspiration for many artists and poets throughout history, such as Goethe and Richard Wagner. Due to its historical importance, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
9. Wernigerode
Wernigerode Castle is located in the Harz mountains above the city of Wernigerode in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. The current building, completed in the late 19th century, has a similar style to the Schloss Neuschwanstein, although its foundations are much older.
10. Burg Rheinstein
Rheinstein Castle (Burg Rheinstein in German) is a castle near the town of Trechtingshausen in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
