Germany`s 10 most eye

5/12/2014
Germany's 10 most eye-catching castles | All media content | DW.DE | 05.05.2014
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Germany's 10 most eye-catching castles
Some 20,000 castles once defended the German-speaking territories. The castles'
medieval rulers sought strength, security and stability. Here are DW's favorites among
those that have withstood the test of time.
Hohenzollern Castle
The spectacular appearance of Hohenzollern Castle in this photo is due to the effects of thermal inversion.
The structure lies atop the 855-meter mountain of the same name in Baden-Württemberg. In 1850, Prussian
rulers had the one-time residence of their ancestors rebuilt in its current, idealized form. Rulers of the
German Empire were drawn from the Hohenzollern dynasty from 1871 to 1918.
R EAD AL SO
Heidelberg, old university
town on the Neckar River
31.07.2012
Heidelberg, the old university town
on the Neckar River, is among
Germany's most popular
destinations for foreign travellers.
Tourists just can't get enough of
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the castle ruins, the narrow alleys
and historical flair.
Wartburg
It's arguably Germany's most important castle. Built around 1067 above the central German town of
Eisenach, Wartburg provided sanctuary to a fleeing Martin Luther in 1521-22. Here, he translated the New
Testament into German. In 1206 it featured the legendary minstrel singing contest portrayed in Richard
Wagner's opera "Tannhäuser." Wartburg has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.
Nuremberg Castle
In medieval times, Nuremberg Castle was a prominent imperial palace. Emperors and Kings of the Holy
Roman Empire resided here over the centuries. Demolished in World War II, the castle was rebuilt true to its
historic architecture.
Eltz Castle
Eltz Castle featured prominently on the back of Germany's 500 Deutsche Mark note, making it one of the
country's best known castles. Built in the early 12th century in a spectacular location at the top of a 70-meter
(230-foot) rock spur in the hills above the Moselle River, Eltz Castle today is a tourist magnet.
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Burghausen Castle
Perched above the town of Burghausen in Upper Bavaria, it is the longest castle complex in the world, at least
according to the Guinness Book of Records: it measures 1051 meters. The castle was built before 1025 and
served as a residence to the Bavarian Wittelsbach dynasty.
Marksburg Castle
Marksburg Castle high above the town of Braubach on the Rhine River is believed to date back to the early
12th century - and has remained intact to this very day. It's the only castle built on a hill along the Middle
Rhine Valley that was never destroyed. Since 2002, the Upper Middle Rhine Valley is listed as a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. On average, you'll see a castle every 2.5 kilometers.
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Rheinstein Castle
First mentioned in 1323, Rheinstein Castle is also situated in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. In 1823, builder
and architect Karl Friedrich urged Prince Friedrich of Prussia to buy the castle that had fallen into disrepair
in the late 16th century. In the Romantic period, Rheinstein Castle was the first Rhine River castle to be
reconstructed.
Cochem Castle
It's the largest castle built on a hill along the Moselle River and is a prominent landmark for the town of
Cochem. Cochem Castle was presumably built around the year 1100 and destroyed in the 17th century. Berlin
entrepreneur Louis Ravené bought it for 300 gold marks and rebuilt the castle in neo-Gothic style around
1877, according to the romantic notions of a knights' castle.
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Altena Castle
In 1914, teacher Richard Schirrmann opened the world's first youth hostel here. Altena Castle in North
Rhine-Westphalia is over 800 years old. After falling into disrepair over the centuries, its reconstruction was
completed in 1918.
Satzvey Castle
One of the best-preserved German castles with a moat can also be found in North Rhine-Westphalia. Called
the Satzvey Castle, it dates back to the 12th century. Daunting moats were dug to keep hostile enemies at bay.
In flat regions, they were an alternative to perching the castle on a rocky cliff or hill.
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