Germany is home to some of the most remarkable castles in Europe, centuries old they are relics of the country’s long history, varying in nature ranging from gothic, baroque to neo-gothic and are often located in fairytale settings. Here are some of the most memorable:
 
Heidelberg Castle – Heidelberg, Baden-Würrtemberg
 
Heidelberg Castle offers a sublime view 260ft up the northern part of the Königstuhl hillside of the city.  The castle top overlooks the whole town and displays a picturesque view of the beautiful River Neckar, as it runs through the town adjoining the town centre to the baroque old town.  The sight is simply breathtaking and it is apparent how Heidelberg was the centre of Romanticism in Germany with the city’s inspiring views.  The castle is built in a Gothic and Renaissance style with the earliest castle structure being built in the 13^th century; it has since faced demolition and rebuilding something which the city of Heidelberg celebrates three times a year through ‘Schlossbeleuchtung’ which translates as castle lighting and sees Heidelberg Castle lit as to appear that it is in flames remembering the battles fought there.
 
Hohenzollern Castle Stuttgart, Hohenzollern
 
South of Stuttgart lays Hohenzollern Castle, sitting atop of Mount Hohenzollern at an astounding 855 metres high; it is a phenomenal piece of architecture, designed in neo gothic style.  It was built in 1819 after Frederick William IV of Prussia decided it would be the perfect place to have the ancestral seat of the Hohenzollern House reconstructed after passing through Southern Germany en route to Italy, he was a man with a passion for fine arts and an admiration for the middle ages and the Hohenzollern Castle was symbolic of that.  Berlin architect Friedrich August Stüler rebuilt the castle gaining inspiration from the popular medieval architecture in France and England at the time.  Similar to many castles in Germany it is a masterpiece of military architecture, resembling a medieval castle whilst having the fantasy setting similar to that of Neuschwannstein Castle. 
 
Karlsruhe Palace – Karlsruhe, Baden-Würrtemberg
 
In the heart of Karlsruhe, is Karlsruhe Palace, built in 1715 in Baroque style as the residence of Margrave Karl Wilhelm of Baden-Durlach.  It is the central point of the city as the first building was constructed by Jakob Friedrich von Batzendorf with the tower of the palace at the centre with 32 streets radiating from it like ribs on a folding fan, for this reason a nickname for Karlsruhe is Fächerstadt – “Fan City”, almost all of the street layouts have remained until today.  It served for 200 years as the seat of Government of the Baden dynasty and has faced many rebuilds since then including damage from bombing during World War Two, during this period the city of Karlsruhe has been gradually built around it and the palace is synonymous with Karlsruhe.
 
Burg Eltz – Koblenz, Rheinland-Pfalz
 
One of the prettiest medieval castles in Germany is Burg Eltz, it has the privileged position of being unspoilt by conflict in its long history, therefore maintaining its original appearance without the help of modern architecture.  Built in an enchanting location within a thick forest looped by the Eltz River, it is a perfect defensive military spot with an exterior that is truly remarkable.  The castle site is also three castles in one as three different sections of the Eltz family built entirely different structures, thus making one castle late-gothic and the other two displaying early-modern complexity.  Fascinatingly, Eltz castle has been held by the Eltz family for more than 800 years, the current owner is in the 33^rd generation of the Eltz dynasty.  Two thirds of the castle is available for public viewing.
 
 
Wernigerode Castle – Wernigerode, Saxony-Anhalt
 
With the spectacular backdrop of the Harz Mountains, Wernigerode Castle is yet another German castle with a fantastical setting. The castle was built in the 12^th century in a Romanesque-style and was originally used as a hunting lodge for the old emperors of Germany. However over its long history it has been subject to many changes in style due to damage and rebuilding, ranging from Neo-gothic in the 15^th Century to Renaissance in the 16^th Century, until it became a fine piece of Baroque architecture in the 18^th Century after the Thirty Years’ War. Count Otto, first president of the Prussian Province of Hanover from 1867 had the castle once again extensively rebuilt in a neo-romantic style. What stands today is a picturesque castle, which is a superb historical building which reflects architecture’s long history.
 
Traditionally, castles are supposed to be military strongpoint’s, strategically designed for the best defence, however Germany has always preferred style over substance when it comes to its castles meaning today they stand rich with history, culture and beauty.

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