Visit Medieval Castles in Germany

Posted by Henk Bekker Jun 13, 2008

It is estimated that through the centuries around 20,000 castles were built in Germany. Although the majority is now in ruins, or completely disappeared from the landscape, literally hundreds in varying states of repair can still be visited. Castles are amongst the most popular tourist sights in Germany.

Castle can be translated into German as Burg or Schloss. Burg is generally used for fortresses built during the Middle Ages while Schloss is used for buildings erected from the Renaissance onwards. However, the distinction is not always clear as many a Schloss was built on medieval foundations. A Schloss is often more palace than castle and better translated by the French château.

German castles range from ruins to modern reconstructions. Castles were particularly in fashion during the late Middle Ages. Castles were frequently destructed during wars – many castles in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage listed Middle Rhine area were destroyed by the French during the War of Palatinate Succession.

Other castles fell into disrepair after the Middle Ages as the upkeep was expensive and the nobility increasingly preferred more comfortable palaces in cities. Many castles in Germany were rebuilt during the nineteenth century as incorrect, romantic notions of what medieval castles were supposed to have look like.

Great medieval castles in Germany open to visitors include:

• Burg Eltz near Koblenz – possible the most romantic castle in Germany.
• The Wartburg in Eisenach – described as the most German of all castles.
• Schloss Neuschwanstein – the medieval-look, nineteenth-century castle built by Bavarian King Ludwig that probably inspired Disney.

Lesser-known castles and castle ruins are even more romantic and often more fun to visit than the overcrowded popular ones. Several good examples are in the Palatinate on the German-French border.