If you travel to Germany, you probably are interested in seeing some of the many castles that remain in the countryside. They are scattered throughout the country, and your plans would dictate which ones you see based on what part of the country you’re going to. Here are 5 of the best castles to see in Germany:
Burg Eltz
Tucked into a lush valley, Berg Eltz is one of the greatest fairy tale castles in the World. The current castle was built between 1490 and1540, and the property has been in the hands of a single family for over 33 generations since 1157. Berg Eltz is only one of the castles in the Rhine River region from Medieval times that hasn’t been destroyed or re-built over time. To reach Burg Elz, you have to take a 45 minute walk through a dark green forest, enhancing the experience of being back in the middle ages.
Lichtenstein Castle
Built in the 19th century to honor the medieval knights of Lichtenstein, this is not the oldest of the castles long shot, but it is built on a 12th century foundation. The original castle fell into disrepair over time, and was selected for rebuilding to honor the knights of the days of old. Lichtenstein is not to largest or most famous castle, but it is known as the “Fairytale Castle in Baden-Württemberg”, a reference to Neuschwanstein Castle, the most famous castle in Germany. It is also called the little brother of Neuschwanstein.
Mespelbrunn Water Castle
Originally a built as a remote farm house in the 1100s before fortifications and a tower were added in 1427, Mespelbrunn is a Wasserschloss – a castle surrounded by a water-filled moat. Only the Bergfried, the round tower, remains from that structure, but the rebuilding around the moat has made it one of Germany’s most visited tourist sites. The fundamental appearance of the current iteration, after being rebuilt in pieces over time, is the result of reconstruction done between 1551 and 1569.
Heidelberg Castle
One of the most famous castles in Germany, Heidelberg Castle was built in phases, with the upper castle started in 1196, followed by the lower castle in 1212. Heidelberg castle receives about a million visitors each year. It is situated at the top of a steep hill, overlooking the town of Heidelberg and the Main river below. While visiting, you can see the wine cellar, which houses the biggest barrel in the world, holding 55,345 gallons of wine.
Neuschwanstein Castle
The original palace was commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria as a retreat from his royal duties. Seven weeks after the death of King Ludwig II in 1886, Neuschwanstein was opened to the public. It has become one of the most visited castles in Germany and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. It served as the inspiration for Cinderella’s castle in Disney parks, and is the highlight of the castles along Romantic Road.
