List of castles in Germany

A tourist trip to Germany is impossible without visiting the majestic and well-preserved German castles. There are a huge number of them all over the country and many deserve attention, but let's take a look at ten of the most beautiful and famous. These selected monuments of architecture and history are real pearls in the necklace of castles in Germany.

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1. Burg Eltz nestled in the valley of the Mossel River near Koblenz. This medieval castle, built presumably in the 12th century, has never been captured and devastated. For more than 800 years, the monument has been owned by members of the Eltz family, who take care of its safety. In the years 1845-1888, a significant restoration of the entire complex was carried out, for which an amount approximately equivalent to 8 million euros was spent. For tourists, the treasury of the castle is of particular interest, which contains more than 500 various exhibits dating back to the 12th-19th centuries.

2. Neuschwanstein (Schloss Neuschwanstein) is recognized the most beautiful castle not only in Germany, but all over the world. This amazing fairy tale castle is located in the heart of Bavaria. Neuschwanstein was built by Ludwig II in the most beautiful place you could find. The castle has been open to the public since 1886. It was Neuschwanstein that became the prototype of the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland Paris.

3. Hohenschwangau located in Bavaria, just a couple of hundred meters from the fairy tale castle Neuschwanstein. The castle was built on the ruins of the ancient Schwanstein fortress. Hohenschwangau assumed its present appearance in 1837. Every year it is visited by about 300 thousand tourists from all over the world. Among the famous sights of the castle is the piano of the great composer Richard Wagner.

4. Gogencollern (Burg Hohenzollern) is a magnificent castle in the clouds. Soaring on top of the mountain of the same name, it served as the residence of the rulers of the Hohenzollern dynasty, who remained in power until the end of the First World War. Hohenzollern is one of the most visited attractions in Germany. Tourists can get acquainted with the richly furnished interior of this wonderful building, designed in the likeness of medieval knights' castles.

5. Levenburg (Schloss L?wenburg) - Lion's Castle It is unique in that it was designed in the seventeenth century as a romantic medieval ruin. Levenburg is the first neo-gothic building in Germany. During the Second World War, the castle was severely damaged and was reconstructed. Located near the city of Kassel, today it attracts many tourists. Near the palace there is an armory where you can study the weapons and armor of the 15th and 16th centuries.

6. Johannisburg (Schloss Johannisburg) located in the city of Aschaffenburg on the banks of the Main. Majestic and beautiful, it is distinguished by simplicity of lines and correct proportions. Built in the Renaissance, it nevertheless has an austere appearance, which is enlivened by the peaks in the central part of the roofs, as well as the corner towers and donjons. Until 1803, the castle was the country residence of the Mainz archbishops. During the Second World War, the castle was badly damaged and was restored.

7. Meersburg (Alte Burg Meersburg), located on the picturesque shore of Lake Baden in Baden-Württemberg, is an example of late Gothic and Baroque architecture. Meersburg is the oldest residential fortress in all of Germany. This fortress includes more than thirty rooms adapted for a comfortable life: a dining room, bedrooms, a banquet hall, an old kitchen and others.

8. Stolzenfels on the Rhine (Schloss Stolzenfels) - This is an ancient castle recognized by UNESCO as part of the world heritage. Its construction took place between 1242 and 1259. Stolzenfels on the Rhine was almost completely destroyed in 1689, and lay in ruins for almost 150 years. The restoration of the castle was organized by Friedrich Wilhelm of Prussia, who then made it his residence. 16 million euros have been allocated for the latest modern restoration of the castle.

9. Marksburg located on a hilltop in the upper reaches of the Rhine near the town of Braubach. The castle was erected on the site of a Frankish watchtower dating back to the 10th century. Marksburg was the only fortress on the Rhine to survive a French invasion in the 12th century. Additional buildings erected in the 17th-18th centuries do not spoil the appearance of a real medieval castle. In 2002, Marksburg was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

10. Königstein (Festung K?nigstein) - This is a powerful fortress in the vicinity of Dresden. This grand structure was erected on top of a cliff with an area of 9,5 hectares. The Königstein Fortress was founded in the eleventh century and today is recognized as the most powerful in Europe. During the Second World War, the cellars of the fortress served to store the masterpieces of world art of the Dresden Gallery. Tourists are offered free access to the castle, gun batteries, casemates and ravelin.

Castles in Germany and to this day they amaze us with their majestic beauty. Each of the described architectural and historical ensembles is a wonderful legend that you want to get in touch with.