Germany is home to approximately 12,000 castles. Some looking like they are pulled out of a fairytale and some looking like they are a medieval fortress. Germany is home to some of the most beautiful and impressive castles in Europe. Keep reading to discover four breathtaking taking castles that everyone must visit!
Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein castle became a real-life fantasy world modeled after medieval legends: the pictures on the wall express love, guilt, repentance, and salvation, particularly in the depiction of lovers, poets, knights, and kings.
It is located in Bavaria, Germany. When the castle was commissioned, it was intended as a private residence for the King. King Ludwig II of Bavaria built the palace to withdraw from public life after losing his power in the Austro-Prussian war. It’s believed that he built his new castle as the centerpiece for an imagined kingdom, one in which he was the true king.
Central to the castle is theatre, opera, and the works of Wagner. King Ludwig was entirely obsessed with Wagner, who was a close friend. The interior walls of the castle are adorned with murals which depict the legends behind Wager’s operas.
Neuschwanstein castle is so special because it was built in a time when castles were no longer necessary as strongholds. The design of the castle is a romantic medieval but, it also had all the newest technology and comforts of the time. The fairytale castle is complete with a walled courtyard, an indoor garden, spires, towers, and an artificial cave.
Hohenzollern Castle
Hohenzollern Castle is a prominent historical monument to a dynasty that has written history. This was the seat of the Brandenburg-Prussian rulers, Prussian kings and Germany's kaisers. Today, the House of Hohenzollern promotes a heightened awareness for German history and its cultural legacy.
The Hohenzollerns centralized government, undertook economic reforms, limited the power of the nobility and cities and built a strong, effective army. The Hohenzollern made the castle their new family seat. The most prominent artifacts one can see in the castle include the Imperial crown of Wilhelm II, an intact dress of Queen Louise, an intact uniform of Fredrick the Great and latter from George Washington to Baron Von Steuben.
Schwerin Castle
For centuries, the castle was the home of the dukes and grand dukes of Mecklenburg and later Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
The castle is regarded as one of the most important works of romantic Historicism in Europe and is designated to become a World Heritage Site. It is nicknamed the "Neuschwanstein of the North".
Schwerin castle was built in place of an older building. The place was very symbolic because for hundreds of years there had been a fortress on the island in Schwerin Lake. Schwerin castle like we see it now, was built because the old one was barely inhabitable and not suitable for a Grand Duchy.
Hohenschwangau Castle
The castle served as the king's residence during the summer and hunting seasons. Maximilian, Marie of Prussia, Ludwig II of Bavaria, and Otto I of Bavaria lived at Hohenschwangau Palace during their summer and hunting seasons.
Hohenschwangau Castle is very closely situated to its slightly more famous cousin, Neuschwanstein Castle.
The external appearance was inspired by the medieval castle. The interior from the 19th century is still preserved until today. Each room of the royal apartments is equipped with murals. There are more than 90 wall paintings in the castle.
The Hohenschwangau Castle is located directly in Hohenschwangau, world-famous as the "Village of Royal Castles". A visit to Hohenschwangau Castle includes a walk through the romantic castle garden with beautiful views of the Alpsee, the forests and mountains.
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