It probably can be said that there is a castle in nearly every small town in Germany. One that must be seen is Hohenzollern Castle, known as the jewel of the Swabian Alps (or Schwäbische Alb, in German). With its impressive towers and stirring turrets, this Baden-Württemberg castle is one of Germany’s most majestic castles. While we were touring, we met a couple from the Kaiserslautern area who had decided this was an absolute must-see stop on their last “PCSing” trip of Germany. And they were right!
About the Castle
Situated high on a mountaintop, this formidable, breathtaking fortress welcomes you from miles away. And it has an equally impressive history. Hohenzollern Castle dates back to 1061, and that isn’t a misprint. The castle remains the ancestral seat of the “Prussian” dynasty, which was an essential component of this area before Germany become the country we know today. The family line intersects and expands through the Franconian and Swabian lines. If you love history, this is a castle for you.
The family lineage is documented on the walls of the entrance to the main castle, which is quite a site to see. Crown Prince Frederick William led a massive restoration effort in the mid-19th century, and the results were an enduring architectural masterpiece.
The castle is still used today. When Prince Georg Friedrich and his family are “in-residence,” the flag will fly from the tower to let the villagers below know they are there. This a tradition that dates back for centuries.
Taking the Royal Stroll
The castle grounds, and most everything included within it is open daily (unless otherwise noted on the castle website) from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Self-guided tours are available, and museum staff are on hand in every room to answer questions. I once worked as a docent in a historical museum and love it when museums take pride in keeping everything as historically accurate as possible. One of my favorite little notes on this trip was wearing the “big fluffy slippers.” You will be asked to slip these on to preserve the absolutely gorgeous floors. Be sure to remember to look down as there are different marble and inlaid wood floors throughout the palace.
Not to be missed is the treasury The royal Crown of Prussia was there as well as many other treasures including presents from other royal families, fine china and silver.
Eat, Drink and Be Merry
We had wonderful weather for our touring day and decided to eat like royalty. We enjoyed a perfect German lunch at the Café Restaurant Burg Hohenzollern and then later coffee and cake in the castle beer garden. Whether you prefer a sit-down meal or to grab a snack or cake, this castle has an option for both. The views from the garden are unforgettable.
Other Information
Once you arrive at the Burg Hohenzollern parking lot, there is a steep hike to the main castle. A shuttle bus is available and runs every 15 minutes. If you have little ones or someone who wouldn’t like to hike, you should use this very convenient service. The price of parking and the shuttle bus is included in the castle admission fee. Advance tickets are available for purchase online.
The castle has a few very nice gift stores. The staff is very friendly and some speak English, like Maria who helped us with our tickets and getting started. You can purchase regional specialties, including Bärlauch Vinegar and Kümmel schnapps.
How To Get to Hohenzellern Castle
Rainer Albiez / shutterstock.com By car, Hohenzollern Castle is just under 1 hour south of Stuttgart, 2 hours and 45 minutes southeast of Kaiserslautern and 2 hours and 50 minutes south of Wiesbaden. Check with Deutsche Bahn for train information.
Address: Hohenzollern Castle
72379 Burg Hohenzollern
Telephone Number: +49 (0) 747 12 428
Author’s Profile: Wendy Payne is a military spouse and lives with her family in Stuttgart, Germany. She is a freelance writer, blogger, and photographer. She also enjoys gardening, hiking, yoga and sharing Europe with people.
Featured photo by Jens Ottoson / shutterstock.com; all other photos by Wendy Payne
