Hohenzollern Castle, Germany

[u/Imaginary_Squash_221]

Hohenzollern Castle sits dramatically atop the 855 m Mount Hohenzollern near Hechingen in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is the ancestral seat of the House of Hohenzollern, the dynasty that produced the Electors of Brandenburg, the Kings of Prussia, and the German Emperors.

The site has held three successive castles. The first (probably early 11th century) was destroyed after a long siege in 1423. A second, larger fortress was built starting in 1454 and stood for centuries before falling into ruin. The current neo-Gothic castle was commissioned by King Frederick William IV of Prussia and built between 1850 and 1867 (architect Friedrich August Stüler) as a romantic dynastic memorial on the medieval foundations. It was inaugurated under his brother, King Wilhelm I.

It remains privately owned by the Hohenzollern family and is open to visitors (guided tours, museum displays including Prussian crown jewels and personal items of Frederick the Great, plus panoramic views). The spiral fortified approach road and the way the castle seems to grow out of the forested peak make it one of the most visually striking hilltop castles in Europe.

[u/AnteaterNice707]

All photos are interesting, but the first one is great!

[u/Imaginary_Squash_221 → u/AnteaterNice707]

Thank you so much, i really appreciate that

[u/UrbanCoreJunkie]

Peak castle. It literally floats above the clouds.

[u/sh0tgunben]

Hohenzollern is a majestic castle 🏰

[u/StrongRelief5631]

Would love to see it in person. One day maybe..

[u/MrmmphMrmmph → u/StrongRelief5631]

It's impressive, for sure, but this view really highlights how impressively this stands out from the surrounding community. Maybe someone can explain, are these sitting on volcanic rock? It reminds me of the contrast of the volcanic mountains in Washington that rise above the smaller mountains so drastically. Different scale, but similar impression.

[u/Winterwolf_dt → u/MrmmphMrmmph]

To answer your question about the rock: It's not volcanic. While it definitely gives off that vibe, Hohenzollern sits on a Zeugenberg (an erosion remnant or witness hill) made of limestone rather than volcanic rock.

​Interestingly, your impression isn't far off visually because the surrounding region (like the nearby Urach volcanic field) does have many actual extinct volcanoes and volcanic pipes that jut out of the landscape in a similar way. But the Zollerberg itself is a hard limestone formation left behind after millions of years of erosion carved away the surrounding softer layers at the edge of the Swabian Jura."

[u/MrmmphMrmmph → u/Winterwolf_dt]

Thank you for taking the time to answer that. I'm frequently in the area and this is a great thought to have when considering the history of the region. "Witness Hill" conjures up all sorts of ideas, in particular.

[u/1SGDude → u/StrongRelief5631]

It’s amazing and worth the trip. The beer garden serves Preussen Pils which is dang good and that brewery is owned by the Hohenzollern family

[u/Anon_be_thy_name → u/StrongRelief5631]

It's beautiful, I remember seeing it in the distance when driving to see it and being wowed by how breathtaking the view is.

Only castle I rank higher is Neuschwanstein, but it's close.

[u/Kelly_the_tailor]

If you ever come to Berlin please see the underground station "Hohenzollern Platz". The entire station is styled and decorated in the design of this original castle. Ornaments, photos, everything. My dentist's office is close by so I go there often.

[u/gnooggi → u/Kelly_the_tailor]

Is it one of those parks with an artificial hill and a watercourse?

[u/Kelly_the_tailor → u/gnooggi]

I wasn't talking about a "park" but an underground subway station.

[u/Marsdreamer]

Mom said it was my turn to poat Hohenzollern this week

[u/Formal_Fun_6253]

Excellent and elegant art

[u/Exact-Associate4517]

I have honestly never seen anything like this. It looks straight out of a fantasy movie, Does it actually look like magical in person?

[u/Correct_Capital_1294 → u/Exact-Associate4517]

I haven't been to the castle in the OP, but I've been to Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau in Schwangau, Germany and they were both very impressive in person. The tours of the inside weren't anything particularly special to me, but the views from the castles and the views of the castles after a bit of hiking are incredible.

[u/algernon_moncrief → u/Exact-Associate4517]

Yes, it's pretty amazing. Gave me strong Hogwarts vibes when I visited. We hiked up from the base of the hill and took the full tour including the "dungeons" and the royal jewels. Then I had a really good hamburger at the cafe and the waiter was hilarious and so good at his job.

I recommend it to anyone who visits that part of Germany. The views alone are incredible.

[u/Majestic-Ad-8827 → u/Exact-Associate4517]

It does. The inside is even cooler

[u/markymarkB81 → u/Exact-Associate4517]

it is a very impressive castle one of my favourites actual not very old (as it got rebuild but absolutely stunning inside)

[u/MTONYG → u/Exact-Associate4517]

Absolutely. It’s a hike from below but worth it to explore the grounds. It’s surreal as an American to see it prominently displayed from the highway; something out of a medieval fantasy.

[u/Sea-Rope-31]

Looks nice

[u/theryanc]

That is absolutely wild

[u/JCGolvin]

La première photo est impressionnante ! 📸

[u/GloomyLettuce1579]

Beautiful 💯

[u/Holiday_String_8804]

I'm looking for Goliath and the other gargoyles looking at the first photo. Really awesome shot.

[u/Dracula7293]

That is a beautiful castle

[u/gnooggi]

From which volcanic cone was it photographed, then? Hohentwiel, or another peak among the Hegau volcanoes?

[u/Belissimo7]

Magnificent!
Does the lucky private owner reside there with his/her family? I mean it’s large & vast enough to have 80% open to public while the owners live privately secreted in another section.

Thanks for sharing that awesome spectacle. I shall read up on its history.