Top 10 Oldest Castles in Germany

Weesenstein Castle is near the municipality of Müglitztal, Weesenstein district (Saxon Switzerland). The 700-year history of the former weir system has different castle lords. Today the castle is owned by the Free State of Saxony. Photo by W. Bulach – Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 oldest castles in Germany

In a country filled with so much history as Germany, it is hard not to come across beautiful castles that were built to accompany such a rich history.

The castles originate from the 9^th and 10^th centuries, Most of the castles that were built in that era were built for protection purposes against an invasion of enemies.

Most of these castles were occupied by the noble people such as kings, queens, knights dukes to damsels and they can be seen from afar because the architects chose strategic positions like hilltops and mountains. 

Visitors to such castles can be able to view the artefacts antiquities and artworks that were once used by the people who once occupied those castles

1. The Hohenzollern Castle

Burg Hohenzollern. Photo by A. Kniesel – Wikimedia Commons

If we are talking about exceptional castles then Hohenzollern castle has to be in the conversation, it is one of the most adored historical heritage castles of Germany

The castle is situated on the mountain of Swabia Bisigen in Stuttgart Germany it dates back to 1061 and has been cited as the Castro Zolre in 1267

The castle has a panoramic mythical shape and the view that is fabulously captivating, surrounded by nature and stands on the greenish mountain

The castle was once demolished in 1423, in order to rebuild it in 1454 in a much larger way. The crown prince  Frederick William of Prussia later came to its rescue after it had been ruined and renovated the castle for the third time in 1819.

Its magnificent transformation came from King Frederick William IV who reconstructed the castle transforming it into the utmost impressive castle of the century.

2. Heidelberg Castle

Its origin begins in 1214 with renovations and additions made in 1294.  A century later it was made the official residence of Prince Elector Ruprecht III.

The castle remained his official residence until the French invasion when it was burnt in 1689 and 1693 and in 1764 a large fire started by lighting made it uninhabitable

An impressive red sandstone castle standing in a commanding position on the hillside directly above the old town in Heidelberg.

This such magnificent views form a backdrop visible from almost any point in the town or along the Neckar River making it to be the best surviving example of German Renaissance architecture.

Many of the visitors who tour the castle can be able to see the castle courtyard a pharmacy museum and a cellar.

Visitors can get to the castle using a funicular railway or they can also have an a15-minute walk from the old town.

Festivals concerts and performances are held in the courtyard and large firework displays.

3. Nurnberger burg Castle

Nuremberg Castle, courtyard. Photo by AlterVista – Wikimedia Commons

In addition to it being the home of German kings and emperors, the Nurnberger castle is considered to be one of the most important surviving medieval fortresses in Europe.

The castle dates back to the 11^th century and was built in different stages. The pentagonal tower and Kaiserburg were built in the 11^th century. In the 13^th century, the chapel was built as well as Sinwell Tower and the famous deep well.

The castle was seriously damaged during World War II and is located in the German area of the Old Town of Nuremberg.

The castle became a major interest to the noble people and a major scene of royal activity and imperial during that time of the Holy Roman Empire and later monarchies

A highlight of a castle tour is the dramatic demonstration of the well’s depth, reaching more than 50 meters into the rock below. Exhibits in the Imperial Castle Museum illustrate the history of the castle and display medieval weapons and armour.

4. Weesenstein Castle

Weesenstein Castle is near the municipality of Müglitztal, Weesenstein district (Saxon Switzerland). The 700-year history of the former weir system has different castle lords. Today the castle is owned by the Free State of Saxony. Photo by W. Bulach – Wikimedia Commons

The castle dates back to 1318 and was built as a military fortification area it was built at the highest defensive position and other things were added.  

The castle was later expanded in the 18^th and 19^th centuries and subsequent addition descended the hill in succession until the final construction of a princely residence at the bottom.

The castle consists of three castles in one and the majority of the visitors don’t realize this when they look at it from below.

Below the park, there is a garden of red roses, a fountain, a tea house and a river which flows through it.

The castle was later modernized in the 15^th and 16^th centuries under the ownership of the lords of Weissenbach and it has remained so until now.

Visitors can be able to view the relics of the castle in the rooms are fully furnished as they were when it was used by the king of Saxony in 1800 with original furniture décor and historical tapestries.

The castle’s chapel retains a beautifully decorated Baroque pulpit, a Gothic altar, and an organ with wooden pipes. You can climb the tower for views of the village and countryside.

5. The Burg Altena

This castle was built in 1316 and then rebuilt in various instances from 1825 to 1844 . The castle played an important role in German defences over the years because of its strategic location

Burg Altena was built in the 12^th century on top of mount Wulfseck by the counts of berg the castle has been the home of the Counts of Marck, formerly the Counts of Altena the castle has had many other residents over the years

The castle was later transformed into a permanent youth castle one of its kind which is still present up to date.

Two museums have been added to the castle which include the world youth hostels museum of the county of Marck. 

Visitors who come to the castle can be able to see the drawbridges which played an important role in Portugal’s defence plan, they can also see the courtyard and the chapel.

The grounds in the castle are covered with burgundy grapevine which still produces grapes to date and is named the burgundy garden

6. Lichtenstein Castle

Aerial view of Lichtenstein Castle in Lichtenstein, Baden-Württemberg, viewed from the west. Photo by MFSG – Wikimedia Commons

The castle was built in 1840 and it’s always referred to as the fairy tale castle of Wurttemberg. It was designed by Carl Alexander Heideloff.

The modern castle that visitors are able to see today was built as an inspiration from the novel Liechtenstein the castle ruins next to it were the original inspiration for the novel itself.

The revival-style castle is still owned by the Dukes of Urach, but visitors can explore some of the interiors with professionally guided tours; the courtyard is open to the general public, letting visitors see the many gun emplacements on the walls.

7. Stolzenfels Castle

The Stolzenfels castle was built as a medieval fortress first in 1259 by the prince–bishop of trier.

The ruins were gifted to a Prussian crown prince in 1823 who then rebuilt the structure as a gothic revival style palace.

It was later listed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 2002 and it includes a donjon, an adjutant tower, a pergola garden, a guardhouse and the castle chapel.

The castle offers a very scenic view of Germany to its visitors who can visit the grounds and explore the buildings, the five gardens, the surrounding park, and the Rhineland.

8. Marksburg Castle

The Marksburg (seen from the western riverside of the Rhine) is a fortress above the town of Braubach in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is located on a schist rock in a height of 160 m. It is the only medieval castle on the Middle Rhine that has never been destroyed. Photo by
Tobi 87 – Wikimedia Commons

The Marksburg castle dates back to the 12^th century and it’s a wonder of German cultural heritage. The castle, also known as the burg Braubach, is set on the top of the cliff on the right side of the Rhine river in the city of Braubach, Germany.

The castle was built by Eppestein as a complex castle and it was owned by the elector of Mainz who kept it until 1283.

The castle was later owned by the count of Eberhard II because he married the daughter of the Eppestein family and when she passed away he became the inheritor of the castle.

The castle belonged to the landgrave Philip II of Hesse through his marry the daughter of count Eberhard II who died in 1479.

The castle was once a state-run jail and a shelter for handicapped soldiers. The castle then became run down and was about to be demolished but the German association for castles preservation bought the castle and thus preserved it and the castle was never destroyed.

Visitors can be able to enjoy a lot of activities in the castle such as seeing antique masterpieces that hold so much history.

9. Cochem Castle

The castle was built in 1100 by the son of count Hermann Pusilius .in 1051 the castle got a new owner a nephew to the queen of Poland, count Henry.

The castle is built on top of a hill near the river Moselle. The castle holds a vintage history of 180yrs. The castle was invaded in 1151 by King Konrad III and his soldiers who then set up his royal domination

The castles transformation took place in 1307-1354 which was undertaken under the leadership of the archbishop Balduin who made it bigger and stronger

Cochem castle was taken under new ownership by the town in 1978 and it now remains the biggest attraction for people who visit the city. Explore the castle grounds, its extensive art collection, and the museum library with a tour or on their own.

10. Schwerin Castle

Schwerin Castle at night. Photo by Enyavar – Wikimedia Commons

This castle has been in existence since 973, the castle as it looks today was built in 1857 ordered by grand duke Friedrich. It functioned as a residence of dukes and grand dukes of Mecklenburg

The castle was demolished in1913 of the 20^th century by a fire that trapped it .its renovation was done by the grand duke who started the restoration of the remained ruins.

The castle was later used as a museum from 1918-to 1948 while from 1948-to 1952 it ran as a place for the state assemblies’. It also operated as an educational institution from 1952-to 1981.

Ever since 1990, the Castle is the place for the state assembly of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Sequential restorations tried to return the old pride and fame of the castle.

The Castle nowadays accepts visitors only in a museum area, indicating the Dukes who resided there before.