German Castles—Romance in Stone

By Joanne C. Weaver

If you plan to learn German to visit Germany, you'll definitely want to spend some time sightseeing Germany's castles. Germany is host to some of the most magnificent castles in the world.

Below are a few highlights on three—a king's fairy-tale castle, a landlord's forest fortress, and a once-impressive military stronghold on a river, now in ruins. Each castle sheds a little light on a different era in German history.

Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany

The name Neuschwanstein means "new swan stone." A man fond of both swans and Wagner opera, King Ludwig II of Bavaria, built this castle.

Neuschwanstein Castle was built in the late 19th century with some intricate conveniences unheard of in early castles—including running water and a heating system—yet the exterior design resembles a romanticized version of 12th century castles.

King Ludwig II had been called the "Mad King" but he was mainly guilty of being a romantic. He inherited the crown at a young age and spent more time enjoying opera and planning castles then managing his kingdom. Under pressure in 1871, King Ludwig quietly ceded independent Bavaria to the German Empire. Many believe King Ludwig II traded the pain of monarch reality for the beauty of his make-believe castle word.

Neuschwanstein is the most famous castle King Lidwig undertook. The opulent interior matches themes in Wagner's operas; the rooms that have been completed are designed in the style of the stage. (Unfortunately, no interior photos are permitted when you tour the castle.)

Castle construction ended abruptly in 1886 after the suspicious drowning death of Ludwig. The magnificent throne room was finished at that time, but the actual throne was not yet built; fittingly, the room does not feature one.

Many have been stirred by the magical silhouette of this stately German castle—in fact, Bavaria's Neuschwanstein was Walt Disney's inspiration for his Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland in California, USA.

While you're at Neuschwanstein, be sure to visit nearby Hohenschwangau Castle, a much older structure and Ludwig's childhood home. You'll learn more about the Ludwig's life on that tour.

Only weeks after his death, Ludwig's private Neuschwanstein Castle was opened to the public. For information on tours, see the Neuschwanstein Castle homepage at www.neuschwanstein.de/english .

Eltz Castle, Maifeld, Germany

Burg Eltz (literally, "castle on the Eltz" stream) is one of the most well-preserved medieval castles in all of Germany. The castle and surrounding property have been in the care of the same family for the past 850 years—33 generations—and, thankfully, only saw armed conflict only once in that time.

Perched atop a rock crag in a lush German forest, Eltz castle sits on an ancient trade route of the German Empire. The castle overlooks a loop in the stream below and almost appears to have a moat.

From the 12th to 15th century, impressive rock walls, towers and rooms added by the family expanded the structure to its present shape and size. Due to careful, persistent preservation, this castle stubbornly maintains its authentic medieval look and feel, complete with centuries-old furnishings, art, and weaponry. This is the real deal—walking through Eltz Castle is just like walking through the distant past.

By the mid 13th century, three landlord brothers and their families shared the property. Today, the Eltz family occupies one of the three residences and leaves the other two open for tours. For more information, see the Burg Eltz homepage: www.burg-eltz.de .

Rheinfels Castle, Rhineland, Germany

The hollow remains of this workhorse testify of its past fortitude. Built in 1245, Rheinfels Castle was the largest structure along Germany's Rhine River. This mammoth castle held off an army of nearly thirty thousand French troops in 1692 and was the only Rhine castle still standing after the siege. A century later, however, Rheinfels Castle succumbed to the French Revolutionary Army. During the 19th century, the castle served as a convenient quarry for nearby villagers. But you can still get a feel for the grand scope of the original structure by walking the grounds.

Be sure to check out all the nifty defense mechanisms that remain—arrow slits in the gate that give archers the perfect shot, chutes on the fortress wall for poring boiling fluid upon the heads of unfortunates, and clever tunnels on the grounds intended to conceal explosives to blow up invaders. While you're in the area, take a cruse down the Rhine to view all the other castled-hills nearby.

Whether you view German castles as romantic or relic, you can't dispute the intrigue and history these stone walls still harbor.

While the most popular German castles offer informative tours in English, the real way to immerse yourself in their history and grandeur is by hearing about them from German locals in their own tongue. So before you go, invest in some learn German software to fortify your language skills.

Other articles of interest:

Germany—Know Before You Go When Should a Child Learn a Foreign Language?

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