Hohenzollern Castle

Hohenzollern Castle is one of Germany’s most recognizable and popular sights. Located 50 kilometers south of the city of Stuttgart, the capital of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, it has long been the family seat of the powerful Hohenzollern dynasty, which ruled the country from the 12th century to 1918 inclusive. Not far from the ancient castle-fortress are the settlements of Biesingen and Hehingen, and it is spread out on top of the mountain Hohenzollern, which locals call simply Zoller (or Zollern), majestically “looking” at the surrounding area from a height of 855 meters.

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Video: Hohenzollern Castle

Contents

Highlights

‘ From the history of the castle

The first mention of the medieval defensive fortress dates back to 1267. However, researchers have every reason to believe that this castle structure was built as early as the beginning of the 11th century.

‘ Castle Walls
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Castle Hohenzollern today

‘ Berlin, the ruins of which were finally dismantled in 1960. This residence, also owned by the said Prussian royal family, was home to their museum.

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There are many priceless exhibits on display here now. Among the most famous are the crown of Prussia’s rulers and the uniform that belonged to Frederick II the Great, a bright representative of enlightened absolutism and the founder of Prussian-German statehood. The remains of the latter, as well as the first King of Prussia, Frederick I, were kept directly in the fortress museum from 1952 to 1991. After the reunification of the FRG and GDR in October 1991, the ashes of the Prussian rulers were returned to Potsdam. As for the castle itself, it is currently privately owned. Two-thirds are owned by representatives of the Brandenburg-Prussian line of Hohenzollerns, one-third by the Swabian Catholic Church.

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The fact that this is indeed one of the most visited tourist sites in Germany is evidenced by statistics: about 300 thousand tourists come here every year. Some are part of excursion groups, others prefer to travel independently. Castle Hohenzollern, if you go to it by car, can be seen on the way up. Combined with the profile of the mountain of the same name and majestically floating around the clouds, the picture is simply impressive! Travelers – many even confuse this attraction with Neuschwanstein Castle because of its resemblance – admit that at some point you want to stop and admire the magical panorama from afar for a long, long time. No less mesmerizing view of the surroundings opens up from above – already from the fortress itself.

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Some particularly observant tourists ask their guides why certain parts of Hohenzollern seem older than the rest? Did they really appear earlier or is this a misleading impression? As it turns out, it is true. After the first and second castles, destroyed due to various historical circumstances, there were still some fragments, which during the subsequent reconstructions it was decided to leave.

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‘ Potalok of the castle chapel
‘ View from the loophole

What else is there to see in the castle museum? In addition to Prussian royal regalia, your attention will surely be drawn to the historically priceless letters. They were sent to the descendant of Hohenzollerns, Baron von Steuben by the first American president George Washington – thanking the august family for their help during the War of Independence of the United States. Visitors, however, are allowed not only in the rooms of the castle, but also in two chapels located at its base. There is also a beer courtyard, which is surrounded by a picturesque park area where you can walk and breathe the clean air of the mountains.

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A tour of the castle usually lasts no more than half an hour. Photography is not allowed. A kind of compensation for this prohibition can be a visit to the local souvenir store, which sells ready-made photos of Hohenzollern – both the interior and views of the outside. Books are also available for sale. You can also buy small souvenirs and even – for some it becomes a pleasant surprise – excellent wines of local varieties.

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‘ Panorama of the fortress courtyard

Opening hours, ticket prices

Throughout the year, Hohenzollern Castle operates on an uneven schedule coinciding with the two main seasons. During the summer season – meaning the period from March 16 to October 31 – the museum welcomes visitors daily from 10:00 to 17:00. In winter (it is calculated, respectively, from November 1 to March 15) to visit the attraction can be from 10:00 to 16:30.

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The only day of the year when Hohenzollern Castle is closed is on Catholic Christmas, December 24. On New Year’s Day (December 31 and January 1), it operates on a shorter schedule: from 10:00 to 15:00 and 11:00 to 16:30 respectively.

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Tickets are sold in two categories: with and without a tour of the inner halls. In the first case, adults will pay 10 euros for the tour, students under 18, pensioners and the disabled – 8 euros (children’s tickets are cheaper – 5 euros). You can also buy a so-called “family” ticket for 25 euros: for two adults and no more than four children. In the second case, an adult ticket will cost you 5 euros and a child ticket will cost you 4 euros.

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‘ Panorama of Castle Hohenzollern

How to get there

If in the famous saying all roads lead to Rome, then in the case of Hohenzollern all roads converge in the town of Hehingen, which is nearby – it is the end point of any route leading here.

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One option is to take a direct IRE train from Stuttgart, which arrives in Hehingen just in time for the departure of the 300 bus to the castle. You can recognize this bus not only by its number, but also by the “Burg Hohenzollern” or “Burg Parkplatz” on it.

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You can also get there by rail from the student town of Tübingen and transfer to the bus upon arrival. An important point: arriving in Hechingen by regional train with a Baden-Württemberg ticket entitles you to a free bus ride to the foot of Hohenzollern Castle.

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Tourists who intend to travel by car – for example, from Stuttgart – should take the A1 autobahn (Stuttgart-Zingen) and exit at Empfingen. Then take the B463 in the direction of the district center Balingen and then take the B27 towards Hehingen. When you arrive, be guided by the signs for the castle, which is, by the way, the main attraction of the town, so it should not be difficult to find them.

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