I lived in a castle once.
Parts of my childhood and consequent years were castle-ish. From a stint at boarding school, dating someone who was working on restoring castles, grandparents’ palatial homes and then many weekends away throughout my life visiting family and family friends in chateaus and palaces…and then there was that time I stayed in a castle for a month to write a short story which I must find and publish - so many castles, so little time.
But once I moved to New York - KLM Business class armed with Rimowa - things shifted and I had to do a 6th floor walk up with a bath inside my kitchen. But as I like to say, it’s high and low that makes life the most interesting.
I had all the storybooks, fables and fantasies taking place in far off lands as a child. I dreamt of throwing my mane of hair down a castle tower for some tall dark and handsome prince to find…
Well, as an adult too. But let’s stick with what I am trying to share here. These stories usually involved a castle, or two or three for good measure... It is just these fairy tale romance stories, complete with princes (and princesses), which gave way to supreme architectural grandeur – from several turrets, impressive drawbridges and even gold plated spires. Today the magic lives on inside me and also in Germany.
In fact it was a series of real life castles in Germany that was behind the inspiration for decades of dream-like dwellings in Walt Disney’s movies. With an eye for the dramatic the German “Schloss” usually comes surrounded by a moat and has previous noble residents for good measure. Of course they needed to keep out the dragons and the townsfolk. I am after all of German decent and so venturing to the Fatherland I did gather a bunch of castles worth seeing in case you have nothing else to do this Spring…
Eltz Castle, Rhineland-Palatinate
This medieval castle, tucked into the hills above the Moselle River, has records dating back to 1157. Built as a protection of trade routes by 1472 the castle was completed as it appears today and housed three landlord families – one of which still owns the castle 33 generations later. The other sections of the castle are open to the public but the Eltz family still lives in their section. Don’t go say hi, just saying. Noted for its treasury the castle is loaded with gold, silver and porcelain artifacts fit for nobility. In Deutsche Mark days before the Euro currency, up to 1992, an engraving of the castle appeared on the 500 note.
Elmau Castle, Bavaria
Although built as part of “reform architecture” where simplicity and naturalness is observed, the sheer size and glory of Elmau imparts its majesty. Built between 1914 and 1916 by Dr. Johannes Müller, a theologian and philosopher, the castle is renowned for its center for chamber music. Today it has been converted into a luxury spa and cultural hideaway and remember when it played host to the G7 Summit. Angela where are you!
Schwerin Castle, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
At first this castle was only fort on the nearby lake, and dated back all the way to AD 973. By 1857 the castle, as it looks today, was completed as a symbol of dynastic power imputed to its founder Friedrich Franz II of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Today it houses a museum, a porcelain collection and an ancestral gallery and is designated to become an official World Heritage Site as it is regarded to be one of Europe’s most important works of romantic Historicism. And for a little extra intrigue, the palace's ghost Petermännchen (“little Peterman”) is said to roam the halls.
Hohenzollern Castle, Baden-Württemberg
The ancestral seat of the Prussian Royal House and of the Hohenzollern Princes the castle coming out of the mists of the Swabian Alps comprises of three distinct parts. Written records show mention of the first part, the Hohenzollern House, dating back to 1061 and the medieval castle complex to 1267. The second part was constructed in 1454 and converted into a fortress, where as the third part Hohenzollern King Frederick William IV of Prussia built from 1850 to 1867. The historical artifacts held here include the Crown of Wilhelm II (King of Prussia), some of the personal effects of King Frederick the Great, and even a letter from President George Washington giving gratitude to Hohenzollern descendant Baron von Steuben for his American Revolutionary War service.
Built by Duke Ludwig of Thuringia in 1067 AD this castle was a hive mind of activity. Not only did the composer Wagner write his romantic opera “Tannhäuser” here, but also Princess Elizabeth of Hungary lived and worked here. And then Martin Luther (disguised as "Knight George") sought and found refuge in the castle and wrote his German translation of the New Testament - thus being the birthplace of the Luther Bible. Today this medieval stateliness is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is often used as concert venues with its awesome views over the Thuringian countryside.
Schloss Drachenburg, Königswinter
Nicknamed the “dragon castle” this private villa meets summer mansion was constructed in the late 19th century. Located up on the Drachenfels hills the Baron Stephan von Sarter, a banker-broker financial expert, built the castle as homage to his childhood sweetheart. By the time the castle was completed his great love had passed away, and so he never moved into the space. Today the property is in the possession of the State Foundation of North Rhine-Westphalia and is served by an intermediate station on the Drachenfels railway.
Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg, North Rhine-Westphalia
At first this castle was planned as a hunting lodge by Prince-Elector Johann Wilhelm II for his second wife Maria-Luisa de Medici, but after a visit to Versailles he ordered his architects to construct something more imposing. Wilhelm died in 1716 never having lived in his “Rhenish Versailles” – and remained unfinished and used as military hospital, refuge center and boarding school. In 1997 the property was remodeled and modernized as a “grande dame” hotel and is now a member of the Leading Hotels of the World. With 120 rooms and suites it is also the home of one of Germany’s best restaurants, the 3 Michelin star Vendôme.
I’ll take 3,4,&7 thanks :)