Hohenzollern Castle is – as the name implies – a castle located on top of Hohenzollern mountain. It is also the ancestral seat of the imperial House of Hohenzollern. The castle covers the entire top of the mountain, looming large over the region.
The current structure was completed in 1867 and is actually the 3rd castle to occupy the site – the first castle on the mountain was built in the 11th century, with a second built during the 15th.
The current, third castle was mainly built as a showpiece for the Prussian empire – none of the Kaisers of the German empire ever lived there, and it was rarely occupied regularly. Technically the place is still the “house” of the current Prussian Prince Georg Friedrich, but he lives in Berlin and rarely stays there.
The castle is an impressive example of German Gothic architecture, and offers amazing views of the surrounding countryside. The place also boasts several treasures of the Prussian empire (though no photos are allowed!), and is the burial site for several members of the royal family.
We took a day-excursion to Hohenzollern Castle while spending time in Ispringen (near Stuttgart). This is one of the most-visited castles in Germany (second only to Neuschwanstein in Bavaria, and for good reason – definitely worth a visit on any trip through Baden-Württemburg!
