Burg Hohenzollern Exterior (Tamala Malerk)
“Ow…*phew*…Ow…*phew*….” Four minutes into a straight uphill hike, I was breathing heavily and really wishing I hadn’t skipped working out that week. I paused and looked longingly behind me along the footpath in the direction of the parking lot I left behind. I saw the beautiful white shuttle bussing the people who had waited an extra few minutes. I was officially committed to hiking up to one of Germany’s most visited castles, Burg Hohenzollern.
Entrance and tower spires (Tamala Malerk)
Google Maps told me the hike would be 18 minutes. Google Maps lied. After several starts and stops, and thankfully a bench around the 2/3 mark, it took about 30 minutes to hike up to the castle. It was a beautiful hike, shaded most of the way and I even got to see goats grazing on the grass beside the castle. It was also about 90 percent super steep and uphill. Seriously, take the shuttle. It comes about every 10 to 20 minutes. After catching my breath and buying a bottle of water at the on-site biergarten, it was time to see why this is one of Germany’s most popular castles.
Burg Hohenzollern is the “ancestral seat of the Prussian Royal House and of the Hohenzollern Princes” and it dates back to 1061 CE. It has been destroyed and rebuilt numerous times due to wars and natural disasters, but fear not, there is still plenty intact for you to enjoy.
Goat standing on the side of the castle on a grassy area (Tamala Malerk)
The exterior of the castle consists of beautiful brown stone and has statues of former Prussian rulers. Within the castle are more statues, along with paintings, ceiling art, stained glass and chapels. My favorite room was the treasury filled with royal memorabilia and jewels, featuring several tiaras I was quite envious of.
After taking a couple of hours to tour the castle grounds (and the initial hike up the trail), I had worked up quite an appetite. I was in the mood for the sit-down restaurant instead of the fries and chicken tenders offered at the biergarten. Families would probably be more comfortable at the biergarten. At the restaurant, I had a delicious meal of poulard (chicken) with noodles and grilled vegetables.
Door entrance with knight on a horse above the entryway (Tamala Malerk)
No matter what time of year you go to the castle there is always something going on, from outdoor movies and Shakespearean outdoor theater performances to castle family days, restoration demonstrations and a special Christmas exhibition.
Burg Hohenzollern is conveniently located less than an hour’s drive from USAG Stuttgart making for an easy day trip or a relaxing weekend away in nearby Tübingen.
