Germany’s 10 Most Magical Castles

It is no secret that some of the world’s most stunning castles are located in Germany, a few of which even inspired Walt Disney in a number of his animated films.

From medieval castles, perched high upon hills, with turrets and parapets galore, to baroque beauties with spectacular landscaped gardens, here are my pick of ten of Germany’s most magical castles.

1. Neuschwanstein Castle, near Füssen

The fairy-tale castle of Neuschwanstein stands proud atop a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen in Bavaria. The castle was commissioned by the Bavarian King Ludwig II as a retreat and also in homage to the German composer Richard Wagner.

King Ludwig II paid for the construction of the castle out of his own fortune, although eventually he was forced into borrowing a large amount of money in order to complete the vast project.

Although the palace was intended to be a refuge for the reclusive King, it was opened to the public following his mysterious death in 1886. Since this date, over 61 million people have visited Neuschwanstein Castle. It has also prominently featured in several films, for example Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, as well as being Walt Disney’s inspiration for Cinderella’s Castle.

2. Burg Eltz, Wierschem

The medieval castle of Burg Eltz is nestled in the hills above the scenic Moselle valley in the west of Germany and is another favourite with fairy-tale-location-seekers.

Despite being a tourist haven, the castle is still owned and partly occupied by members of the Kempenich family – some 33 generations have lived beneath the castles roof!

3. Reichsburg, Cochem

Looking down over the picturesque town of Cochem, also located along the banks of the Moselle, is the impressive Reichsburg.

However this is not the same castle that originally stood in its place in the 12th century, which was obliterated in 1688 by French King Louis XIV’s troops during the bloody Nine Years’ War.

The 11th century castle stood ramshackled and in ruins for almost two hundred years until it was restored by a rich businessman in 1868. The castle was not fully restored to its original Romanesque style and condition, but instead transformed into a neo-Gothic creation with an Octagonal Tower and the Hexenturm (witches tower) incorporated into its design.

4. Hohenzollern, near Stuttgart

The ancestral seat of the influential Hohenzollern family is situated approximately fifty kilometers to the south of Stuttgart in the foothills of the Swabian Alps. The castle was built for King Frederick William IV of Prussia

The castle that stands at 855 metres is actually the last of three castles to be built on the top of the mount.

In 1945 it became home to the former Crown Prince Wilhelm of Germany, the son of the last Hohenzollern monarch, Kaiser Wilhelm II.

5. Schloss Drachenburg, near Bonn

A small and relatively unknown castle next, the picture perfect Drachenburg overlooks the majestic Rhein, just south of Bonn, from the heights of the Drachenfels hill.

The castle was constructed in the late 19th century in a palatial style intended for private use. A rich broker and banker, Baron Stephan von Sarter, had planned to live in the castles confines, but never did.

6. Sanssouci, Potsdam

The stunning Sanssouci palace in Potsdam was the summer residence of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia.

Sanssouci is commonly described as Prussia’s Versailles. Its opulent facade, its gardens and terraced vineyards provide the visitor with many features to delight the eye.

7. Lichtenstein Castle, 

Schloß Lichtenstein has been destroyed twice: once in the Reichskrieg’s War of 1311 and again by the city-state of Reutlingen in 1381. The castle was not reconstructed and subsequently fell to ruin. Today, the castle is still owned by the Dukes of Urach, and contains a large collection of historic weapons and armour.

8. Heidelberg Castle, Heidelberg

Being a beautiful baroque-style town is just not enough for the city of Heidelberg; it has to have a wonderful castle too! Not just that but, the Heidelberger Schloss is one of the most famous castle ruins in the world.

The castle ruins, which overlook the town and the winding Neckar river, are also among the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps. The castle has been rebuilt multiple times – on two separate occasions due to fires started by lightning bolts.

9. Schloss Nordkirchen, Nordkirchen

This jaw-droppingly beautiful palace can be found in the town of Nordkirchen in the state of Nordrhein Westphalia, some miles south of Münster. The Schloss, also known as the ‘Versailles of Westphalia’, was built between the years 1703 and 1734, and also is the largest of Münsterland’s so-called Wasserschlösser (Water castles).

10. Schloss Linderhof, Ettal

Another of King Ludwig II’s fantastical castles is Schloss Linderhof. After multiple attempts of building and rebuilding, it is the only one of his large palaces that he lived to see completed.

Schloss Linderhof was built to resemble the palace and gardens of Versailles, as a result of the King’s fascination with the splendour of the Bourbon Court. Within the castle’s grounds visitors can find an ornate grotto across which the King liked to be rowed across in his golden boat. Alright for some!

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Will you be adding any of these beautiful castles or palaces to your bucket list? Perhaps you have a suggestion to add to the list? Do let me know in the comments below!

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