Straight out of a fairy-tale: Hohenzollern Castle

In SouthWest Germany, the legacy of the aristocratic Hohenzollern family includes some great attractions and sights.

In the rugged, rolling upland of the Swabian Mountains, Hohenzollern Country is perfect for vacations. Follow in the footsteps of one of the most important noble families in Germany; explore the legacy of the once mighty Hohenzollerns.

Hohenzollern Castle, one of the most impressive fortresses in Germany, is perched on a hilltop in the Swabian Mountains. It looks like a fairytale castle from centuries ago, but it is actually a fine example of 19th-century Gothic Revival architecture. The seat of the Prussian royal family and the Princes of Hohenzollern has stunning views. As Kaiser Wilhelm I said after a visit in 1886: “The views from Hohenzollern Castle are really worth the journey.” And that is still true today.

Then there is Sigmaringen Castle, perched on a cliff above the Danube River, with its grand state rooms and the largest private gun collection in Europe. Originally built as a fortress, it was transformed into a royal residential palace with towers and turrets, bay windows and terraces.

To celebrate 950 years of the Hohenzollern family, SouthWest Germany has an array of special events in 2011, from concerts and special tours to theme nights and guided hikes on the Hohenzollern Trail (Hohenzollernweg).