Anyone know of any amazing castles in/near Germany (Bavaria)?

Question

I'm living in Germany and am pretty new to the area (military move). I'd like to go see an amazing castle. I've been to Hoehnschwangau (I think that's how it's spelled) and Neuschwanstein. Any other ideas? Prefferably someone who's actually been there and seen it in person as opposed to over the internet. Thanks.

Answer 1

All the castles the other ones mentioned - and two more! I guess you are close to Munich, so why not visit the "Residenz" in Munich, which is a former castle of the kings of Bavaria and nowadays plays an important role for the government of the bavarian state. If you go there, go around 10 or 11 a.m., and buy a combination ticket for the "Residenzmuseum" and the "Schatzkammer" (where they exhibit power insignia, jewelry and unbelievably valuable art). That way, you will be able to see the rooms of the Residenz that are open in the morning, go see the Jewelry and than go straight back in and see the rooms that are opened for the afternoon. They are not the same at all, and both are worth to see! And when you enter the "Residenz", to your left there are usually a couple of rooms open to the public for free, with an exhibition about the damage the castle took during WW2, but in the end of that you are led to room decorated exactly as King Ludwig the second wanted them to be, with huge paintings representing scenes and people of the "Nibelungensage".

You might also want to go and see "Schloss Nymphenburg", Nymphenburg castle, where King Ludwig the second (which is the King Ludwig everyone is mentioning here, but actually he was the second of that name, and English-speaking tourist guides will be quite confused if you ask for King Ludwig and mean King Ludwig the second - they know the difference!) was actually born. The Nymphenburg castle is still  the place where the heirs of the bavarian kings have their headquarter, so to speak. Herzog Franz von Bayern lives there. You can buy a "combination ticket" for, I think, 10€, that will allow you to see:

- the rooms of the castle that are open to the public,

- the "Marstallmuseum", which exhibits the old carriages of King Ludwig the second and the ones of his ancestors (simple ones in comparison to his extravagant (and crazy) splendor) as well as antique porcellan from the "Nymphenberger Manufaktur",

- the "Amalienburg", a small side or hunting castle built for Queen Amalie (I think she was king Ludwig the seconds mother)

and in the summer also:

- the "Badenburg", basically a castle around a swimming pool

- the "Pagodenburg", a small castle famous for its achitechture and

- the "Magdalenenklause", a church, deliberatly designed in form of a ruin, whith extravagant wall decorations made of shells.

All those buildings are in walking distance of the Nymphenburg caslte, in the "Schloßpark". Now, in winter, you can Ice-skate on the lakes in the park or on the long decorative pool leading up to the castle, but for seeing all the castles, I would recommend a day in spring, when they are open. You need to check out when the "Badenburg", "Pagodenburg" and "Magdalenenklause" are opened for the summer. I think it is the 15th of April, but I'm not sure.

So, if you are interested in King Ludwig the second: after that, you will have seen it all!

Have fun!

Answer 2

well wht part of Bavaria u live in? Bc i kno if u go in the area of the black forest or Baden-Wurttenberg there are some amazing castles over there, but alot of them r ruins

Answer 3

Herrenchiemsee and Linderhof, than you have seen all the castles of Ludwig II.

I have been to many places, just find one out of the list below (link)

also in the summer period (July) are the famous Kaltenberger Ritterspiele. If you love catles, you sure gonna love this event, its one of the biggest kight festivals in the world today.

link below.

regards

Bernd

Answer 4

Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, and Herrinchemisee are the three castles of King Ludwig. I have been to all three on several occasions and will tell you that there are not a more beautiful collection of castles in the world. These are very elaborately decorated with rich colors and lots of gold. Google them for pics and you will be amazed. That area of Germany by the way is loaded with sightseeing must so make sure you check with a tourist information sight to plan a vacation like no other.

Answer 5

The Heidelberg Castle! I live there and it's absolutely magnificent. You can take a boat and see the other castles along the river, but the Heidelberg Castle is the main one. Such a romantic city :) There's also an American base there, the Headquarters of US Army actually.

Answer 6

I would propose Linderhof next.It s not far from Garmisch- Partenkirchen have been there once it is said to have been the favorite of King Ludwig.

Answer 7

I do not in the South but I do near the center!!

You have several in the center such as the one Martin Luther was held in, several in Thuringia as well. You can find them all over the country so you should have no problems finding one!

My favorite was Frachenwald I think it was called or similar it was more southern but probably a bit North of you.

You should find plenty to go to!! I did and loved them all in their own ways. Some are called Castles but are more Palaces in some places for the need for the defenses at the time of their building was not as necessary as the older castles were. I have seen over 20+ Castles in the last 18 years. All different ones which is why I can not remember all the names and where they were too many to remember.

Have fun in them!!

Answer 8

There are just to many Castles (Burgen) in germany to mention only one have a look at these sites and you will surely find what you want

Depending on the state(Bundesland) where you are now or want to visit just type into your seach engine:

Burgen in...(your state)............

all germany:

www.burgen-und-schloesser.net/ - 27k

www.de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_der_Bu... - 207k

Bavaria(Bayern) only:

www.travelwriter.at/098/049/schloesser...

Answer 9

Get a book about the romantic road.  Has a lot of info about the castles, expecially in Bavaria.  

I personally think that the fortress in Wurzberg is worth a visit.  There are two museums there, one of them containing a model of the town after the bombing in WWII.  Very interesting.  I may be biased though as there is work from one of my ancestors who was a gold/silver smith for the prince bischoff some hundered years ago.

While in Wurzberg there is The Residance with a great overhead mural in the great hall, and a mirror room that is a wonder to see.



I also thought that the castle in Heidelberg was pretty cool, interesting that they renovated part and kept the other part as it was after the bombings of the Napolianic wars.  

Rothenberg is definatly worth a visit, with the crimiology museum, and the original town wall dated 1215...and dont forget to get a "schneeballen" while you are there.

Now when on your outing the churches in most towns have as much, or more history than the castles, and are definatly worth a visit in most towns.

I would look into the MWR trips.....see if there is a NOW class there that will take you to a few sights, and give you some basic German language skills.  

Email me if you want some more info...I can get out the books and look into details.  I moved back to the states from the Wurzberg area about a year and a half ago.

Answer 10

Consider moving out of Bavaria!  Someone recommended the Wartburg - the castle in which Luther was kept - it's actually more or less on the way between Frankfurt and Bavaria if you fly into Frankfurt, and well worth doing.  It's a beautiful very old castle with much history well beyond Luther! It's in Eisenach.

Step just out of Bavaria into Austria - the Fortress in Salzburg is amazing, and well worth visiting.

Of course the many castles/fortresses along the Rhine and Mosel are astounding.  Burg Stahlek over Bacharach on the Rhine is a youth hostel, as is the Festung (Fortress) in Koblenz.  In between many castles, Rhinefels being a top one (though in ruins).  Along the Mosel my favorite castle in all of Germany, Burg Eltz is located.