Category: Germany

Medieval Castles in Germany

list of best germany castles

Germany has lots of really cool castles. They’re in forests, on big hills, or around old towns. These castles are from a long time ago and are super fancy. They’re like something from a fairy tale! Come check them out and see the magic for yourself.

List of Top 20 Castles in Germany

Neuschwanstein Castle – Bavaria: One of the most iconic and photographed castles in the world, known for its fairy-tale-like appearance.

Burg Eltz – Rhineland-Palatinate: A beautifully preserved medieval castle nestled in the hills above the Moselle River.

Heidelberg Castle – Baden-Württemberg: Overlooking the city of Heidelberg, this Renaissance castle is famous for its large courtyard and picturesque views.

Hohenzollern Castle – Baden-Württemberg: Perched atop Mount Hohenzollern, this majestic fortress is associated with the Prussian royal family.

Wartburg Castle – Thuringia: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this castle is famous for its association with Martin Luther and the translation of the Bible into German.

Fortress Rosenberg Kronach – Bavaria: A formidable fortress overlooking the town of Kronach, known for its strategic position and impressive architecture.

Nuremberg Castle – Bavaria: Dominating the skyline of Nuremberg, this historic castle complex boasts centuries of history and offers panoramic views of the city.

Marksburg Castle – Rhineland-Palatinate: The only hilltop castle on the Rhine that has never been destroyed, offering a glimpse into medieval life.

Schwerin Castle – Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: Located on an island in Lake Schwerin, this romantic castle is often called the “Neuschwanstein of the North.”

Lichtenstein Castle – Baden-Württemberg: Perched on a rocky cliff in the Swabian Alps, this fairy-tale castle is known for its picturesque setting.

Burg Eltz – Rhineland-Palatinate: A beautifully preserved medieval castle nestled in the hills above the Moselle River.

Hohenschwangau Castle – Bavaria: Located near Neuschwanstein, this castle was the childhood residence of King Ludwig II of Bavaria.

Sanssouci Palace – Brandenburg: Often called the “Versailles of Germany,” this Rococo palace is located in Potsdam and was the summer residence of Frederick the Great.

Wernigerode Castle – Saxony-Anhalt: Situated above the town of Wernigerode, this fairy-tale castle offers stunning views of the Harz Mountains.

Schloss Moritzburg – Saxony: A Baroque palace surrounded by a large lake, famous for its appearance in the movie “Three Wishes for Cinderella.”

Burg Satzvey – North Rhine-Westphalia: A well-preserved moated castle dating back to the 12th century, known for its medieval festivals.

Altena Castle – North Rhine-Westphalia: The world’s first youth hostel was established in this medieval castle in 1912.

Schloss Drachenburg – North Rhine-Westphalia: Perched on a hill above the Rhine River, this fairy-tale castle offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Wachenburg Castle – Baden-Württemberg: Located near Heidelberg, this castle features a striking tower and is now used as a student clubhouse.

Schloss Neuenburg – Thuringia: A Renaissance castle located near Freyburg, known for its impressive architecture and vineyards.

About Most Famous Castles

Germany has some amazing castles! From the famous Neuschwanstein Castle that inspired Disney, to the strong Hohenzollern Castle, each one tells a special story about Germany’s past. These castles were not just homes for kings and queens, but also show how smart people were at building things back then, and how Europe changed over time.

Neuschwanstein Castle is super famous and looks like it’s from a fairy tale. It was built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria and has fancy rooms inside. It’s in the Bavarian Alps, which makes it even more magical.

Burg Eltz is a medieval castle that’s been owned by the same family for over 850 years! It’s up in the hills by the Moselle River and still has old stuff from way back when, giving us a peek into what life was like for German nobles.

Heidelberg Castle is a mix of old ruins and newish buildings. It sits above the Neckar River and shows off different styles of architecture, from Gothic to Renaissance. It’s been through wars and fires but still stands strong, showing how tough Germans are.

This list doesn’t just have the famous castles; it also talks about some hidden gems like Schwerin Castle, which sits on an island in Lake Schwerin, and Wartburg Castle, where Martin Luther worked on translating the Bible.

Each castle here comes with a lot of info about its history and what you can do when you visit. Whether you’re into fairy-tale stuff, old fortresses, or just want to learn about Germany, this guide has something for everyone!

How Many Castles Are in Germany?

It’s hard to say exactly how many castles there are in Germany because people define “castle” in different ways, and new ones are still being found and fixed up. But experts guess there are tens of thousands of them, including big fancy ones where kings lived and small ones for defense. Germany has a long history of castles, thanks to medieval times and feudal systems, so they’re all over the place!