Perched high above the Swabian Alps, Hohenzollern Castle is the vision of King Frederick William IV of Prussia, a monarch with a deep love for the fine arts and a romantic fascination with the Middle Ages. Driven by this passion, he enlisted renowned Berlin architect Friedrich August Stüler to rebuild the ancestral castle’s ruins. The result was a breathtaking interpretation of a medieval knight’s fortress—perhaps a touch nostalgic for its time, but still one of the most striking castles in Europe today.
Construction began with the laying of the cornerstone in 1852 and reached completion in 1867. Inside, the castle boasts 140 rooms, each with its own unique character. Notable highlights include the library adorned with magnificent murals, the King’s ornate bed chamber, the intricate family tree room, and the Queen’s elegant Blue Salon. The interiors dazzle with gilded coffered ceilings, exquisite marquetry floors, and portraits of Prussian royalty. And for visitors less enamored with royal history, there’s still a treat—Hohenzollern Castle’s very own brewery, producing the signature beer known as PREUSSENS.
