Architecture – German Castles – A to L

After 3 Brutalist posts, I suspect some of you may have been thinking I was a brute. I quite like the style but I may have pushed the envelope. I’m not even allowed to say the word in my household. Today I propose something more in the realm of fairy-tales: Part 1 of German Castles.

Towers, fortified walls, and heavily decorated – those are some of the characteristics of German castles. Often set atop a peak to enable a panoramic view of the land and any oncoming threat. They are tall! Many more storeys higher than the French castles who in comparison are lower, more formal, more symetrical, and stately. These are shall we say whimsical. I am surprised to find so many are quite recent construction. I think that would be a fair statement considering one was the inspiration for the Walt Disney Castle. But more on that next week.


Babelsberg Castle
At one point I read picturesque tudor style in another I read English gothic revival. I mostly see gothic revival.
1849




Berg Castle
Neo-Classic style
1851




Bergedorf Castle




Braunfels Castle
1384




Burg Frankenstein
It is believed that Johann Conrad Dippel who was born at the castle served as inspiration to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein novel.
1363




Burg Hohenzollern
1867




Burghausen Castle
Started in 1255, at 1051 m in lenght is is the longest castle complex in the world – See Guiness Book of Records.




Charlottenburg Castle
Largest Palace of Berlin
End of 17th Century




Cochem Castle
Gothic Style
1151




Eltz Castle
Gothic
1157




Glücksburg Castle
Renaissance Style
1587




Heidelberg Castle
In ruin, yet remains an important Renaissance structure.
1294




Hohenschwangau Castle
1397




Hohenzollern Castle
1867
English Gothic Revival
And Chateaux of the Loire Valley




Imperial Palace of Goslar
11th century