Video timeline: 0:00 Intro 0:28 Neuschwanstein – a medieval castle? 2:06 Sanssouci – palace or garden hut? 3:35 Is it too expensive to rebuild Heidelberg castle? 5:00 Why do so many castles line river Rhine? 6:25 Are all German castles and palaces owned by the state?
Luxury, romance and a fairytale atmosphere — that’s how we imagine life at the medieval Eltz Castle. But what is it really like to live there? Spoiler: there are 80 rooms, all of which require a little maintenance. DW’s Hannah Hummel asks owner Jakob Graf zu Eltz about life at the castle back then and now. The castle resident has even set up his home office there. Would that be something for you, too?
Eltz Castle is different. It remained unscathed by wars. It has been owned and cared for by the same family from when it was built until today. Its architecture has no comparison and many of the original furnishings of the past eight centuries still remain in place. It houses rustic suits of armour, swords and halberds as well as magnificent courtly gold and silver artefacts. It towers high on a large rock set deep in a valley. It stands in the midst of the Eltz Forest, a nature reserve of serene beauty, which offers numerous hiking trails and outdoor areas for sports and recreation for all age groups.
Prince Leopold of Bavaria takes you on an exclusive tour of the famous castle commissioned by his ancestor, King Ludwig II, who had the castle built in the picturesque landscape of the Bavarian Allgäu in the 19th century. Today, the castle is one of Germany’s most famous tourist attractions and is famous all over the world. On his guided tour, the prince will share 5 lesser-known facts about Neuschwanstein!
Wartburg Castle, located close to Eisenach in Thuringia, is also known as “The Castle of the Germans”. But why? DW’s Hannah Hummel shows you around the castle, which is more than 1,000 years old. A fascinating journey to the times of minstrels, knights and ladies of castles – and to the famous Protestant Martin Luther, who translated the bible at Wartburg Castle.
Destination Culture: Discover Germany’s oldest castle! Hannah Hummel travels back in time in Albrechtsburg Castle. The site in Meissen used to house Europe’s first porcelain producer. Porcelain designers show Hannah how the material is being further developed today. She also visits the picturesque old town and learns the interesting story behind the Meissner Fummel – a unique pastry, where fragility plays an essential role.
Video timeline: 00:00 Intro 00:54 Albrechtsburg castle in Meissen 05:08 Meissen’s old town 09:31 Exhibition, production and design atelier of Meissen porcelain 17:46 An Australian in Meissen 21:44 Photographer Eric Franke 24:52 Frauenkirche (Church of our Lady) in Meissen
Imbued with the spirit of German Romanticism, the Rhine River has inspired fairy tales, fables, poetry, and paintings. Its mythical underwater maidens and their magic gold provided the muse for Wagner’s “Ring” opera cycle. The evocative voyage from Mainz to Koblenz has been a favorite with travellers since the 19th century. The stretch from Bingen, west of Mainz, runs through a steep and narrow gorge, and has more castles than any other river in the world. Below these cliff-top fortresses sit villages of half-timbered houses, like the settlement of Bacharach, which owe their existence to the Riesling grape grown along the hillsides.
00:00 Intro / Upper Middle Rhine Valley 00:38 Klopp Castle, Bingen 01:04 Mouse Tower, Bingen 01:46 Niederwald Monument, Rüdesheim 02:15 Rheinstein Castle, Trechtingshausen 02:52 Stahleck Castle, Bacharach 03:23 Pfalzgrafenstein Castle, Falkenau island near Kaub 03:51 Loreley Rock, St. Goarshausen 04:27 Katz Castle, St. Goarshausen 04:54 Maus Castle, St. Goarshausen 05:08 Rheinfels Castle, St. Goar 05:34 Marksburg Castle, Braubach 06:01 Stolzenfels Castle, Koblenz
Discover seven of Germany’s beautiful palaces and castles from a bird’s-eye view! Our Flying Guide takes you to Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam, Heidelberg Castle, Schwerin Castle, Marienburg Castle, Sigmaringen Castle, Ludwigsburg Palace and Lichtenstein Castle. Come check out these architectural gems in Germany!
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