Exploring Castles: Germany Edition!

So, a friend of mine once lived in Germany for about a year or two, and she blogged about it.

She said Germany was really beautiful, and although she didn't know much German, she still enjoyed the place, and...

She lived next door to a castle.

A castle, my friends. That's like saying you live next door to a celebrity or have goats as pets.

But she talked about it in pretty much the most nonchalant way ever, saying, "Oh, yeah, castles are pretty common around here in Germany."

Which led me to a round of Wikipedia-ing. And excessive Google Image-ing.

And...my goodness. For being a country smaller than the state of Texas, Germany has a LOT of beautiful, swoon-worthy castles.

And not only are the castles pretty, the land surrounding them is always the lush blend of hazy mountain peaks on vivid green hilltops, against the expanse of an impossibly blue sky.

...I'm not actually obsessed. Once you see them, you'll understand me.

So, without further ado, here are my top FOUR stunners, not in any particular order (it was a hard choice.)

1. Schloss Drachenburg

Look. Just look. And faint a little.
Photo creds: www.deviantart.net

The Schloss Drachenburg (or the "Dragon Palace") is something one would expect to appear out of dreams...or folklore, that is. Legend says that Siegfried, a hero of both German and Norse mythology, slayed his dragon somewhere up in those very mountains of Rhine.Wealthy eccentrics had held parties, a Hitler school was founded there, and it has been everything from a museum to a mini war-zone.

2. Schloss Schwerin

I mean, this castle even has its own island!
Photo creds: Google Images

This little beauty rests in the area of Mecklenburg, in the reserve of parks and lakes. Built between 1845 and 1857, it (and the castle above) were built during the fervor of medieval/historic reverance. Today it serves as an art museum.

3. Burg Hohenzollern

The view. My goodness, the view.
Photo creds: Google Images

This castle has a royal history. It stands as a tribute to the House of Hohenzollern, whose existence dates back to as early as the 13th century. The Prussian king Frederick William IV was a Hohenzollern, and decided to have a castle constructed in their name. Today. it stands as a museum to the great dynasty.

And when it's foggy, this happens:

There is a castle on a cloud.....
Photo credits

4. Schloss Neuschwanstein

I have no words.
Source

There is a reason why they call this Germany's "Fairytale Castle", Surrounded by the soft, blue-ridged mountains of Bavaria, a pure, white beauty against the the lake and the green hillsides--no wonder this was the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle!

This was built under the instruction of Ludwig II, Duke of Bavaria. It was built for his throne but after two years of power, he had to give in to the Prussians. He eventually receded further and further into his own world of fantasies and fairytales, The castle holds the beautiful remains of what some call a bitter, tragic tale.

And...another one, in the winter:

Look at that! It's like it came straight out of a Christmas book!
Source

Scientific conclusion, after extensive observation: I want my own castle.

...And I'll go sing some more Les Mis now.

And wow, this post was really long.

Which is your guys' favorite? Leave answers below in the comments!


Sources:

http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/a-rhineland-legend-reborn-fairy-tale-comes-true-for-germany-s-dragon-castle-a-725306.html

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/543238/Siegfried

http://www.museum-schwerin.com/schwerin-state-museum-art-collections-castles-and-gardens/schwerin-castle/

http://www.preussen.de/en/today/hohenzollern_castle/history.html

http://www.germany.travel/en/leisure-and-recreation/palaces-parks-gardens/neuschwanstein-castle.html