Burg Hohenzollern Things to Do

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Located in the main courtyard of Hohenzollern Castle, is quite a large medevial Canon sitting on a gun carriage. Have at look at it, because you will see the Prussian Coat of Arms embedded in the Canon.

The day had been quite hot with the Sun blazing overhead. We had been constantly walking, so we decided it was time for a break.
First the Toilet's, and two blocks are located on the upper courtyard, where the main Castle area is.
Next, we decided on an Ice-cream and drink, as there were plenty of table & chairs under the shade of Umbrella's or Tree's in the courtyard. This is what we did, filled our tummy, rested our weary legs, and people watched before starting on the final leg of viewing the Castle.

The Cafe area is located across from Christ Chapel.

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As with most Castle's, there is always a Bird's of Prey Show. We weren't interested as we have seen so many of them.

Inbetween show's here at Hohenzollern Castle, the Bird's are show. They are chained to rings, and seemed to be quite happy sitting there, with people admiring and taking photo's of them. It was a great photo opportunity! Of course, the Trainer was nearby, and he would answer question's.

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If you happen to be at Hohenzollern Castle on an OPEN DAY like we were, then you will see the Castle Band.
We thoroughly enjoyed it!
The Band made their way up the Castle Tower that overlooked the main courtyard. Then, the Trumpeter's, who we could see from the bottom, started playing. This went on for a little while, then all the band member's came down, and got together for a photo shoot for the public.
Dressed in traditional clothes, this was something unique that I hadn't expected to see!

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Seeing Christ Chapel was next, and as it was open, we proceeded inside for a look.
There are two Churches at the Castle, a Catholic and Protestant, and Christ Chapel is the latter.

Friedrich Wilhellm IV wanted this Church built, so he paid for it and had it built in neo-gothic style, similar to Sainte Chapelle of Paris.

Inside, the stained glass window's were of the birth and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the 12 Apostles. The family Tomb's are no longer in this Church, as they were moved during WWII, incase the Red Army secured them. Then, they were moved back to the Castle, and in 1952, all were moved to Potsdam, in Germany.
I liked the ceiling painted in Blue with scroll's of gold Flower's and some paintings. Each side wall was lined with Flag's.

Do take notice of the incredible door when you enter the Church, it is amazing!

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Have you ever planned your driving holiday, and then found a place you really wanted to see but weren't going near it?

Well, this is what happened when I saw a photo of this huge Burg. I read about it, and I wanted to see it. Only one thing to do, and that was to change our route to include Burg Hohenzollern.

The castle is located on top of Mount Hohenzollern [2,805 ft above sea level,] and is the ancestral seat of the Hohenzollern family who became German Emperor's.
It was completely destroyed after a 10-month siege in 1423 by the imperial cities of Swabia, and a
second larger, stronger Castle was constructed between 1454 to 1461.

The Castle we went and saw, was the third to be built, and was constructed for Frederick William IV of Prussia between 1846 and 1867. It was built as a family memorial, but no member of the Hohenzollern family lived here until 1945, when it became home to the last Prussian Crown Prince Wilhelm. The Prince and his wife, Crown Princess Cecilie, were buried there, but now have been moved to Potsdam.

Hohenzollern castle is still privately owned, with two thirds of the castle belonging to the Brandenburg-Prussian line of the Hohenzollern, while one third is owned by the Swabian line of the family. Since 1954 the castle has also been used by the Princess Kira of Prussia Foundation to provide a summer camp for needy children from Berlin.

Hohenzollern castle has over 300,000 visitors per year, making it one of the most visited castles in Germany.

You are not allowed to drive to the Castle, instead were told to park our Car and catch the Shuttle Bus.
The Shuttle Bus station is opposite the parking lot.
During summer season (16 March - 31 October) the shuttle bus runs between 9:00 and 6.30pm
During winter season (01 Nov–15 March) the bus shuttle runs only at weekends, public holidays and during school holidays between 10:00 and 5.30pm.
Feeling energetic, then walking up the steep Mountain path will take approx. 30 minutes.

SHUTTLE BUS PRICE IN 2011...........
From the parking lot to the Castle/ or back
Adult 1.90 EURO....Children .90euro

RETURN TRIP....ADULT 2.90 euro.....CHILDREN...1.45 euros

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St. Michael's Chapel is the Catholic Church at the Castle.

The Chapel of St. Michael is the oldest part of the castle complex. It has beautiful 13th century stained glass windows and an impressive dragon-slaying statue. Relief's in the Church are sandstone, late Romanesque, that were found in reconstruction work in the 19th century. The entry door to this church has some beautiful carved figures, take a look!

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Being here at the Castle on an Open Day, did have some advantages.
We were able to wander through the room's, on our own, with-out a guide. There was always somebody on hand to answer question's. I like it this way, as I can move on if bored, or stay longer if there is something I am really interested in!

We started our tour in the Ancestral Hall, which had the whole 'family tree' covering the walls, fantastic!
Next, was the Banqueting Hall, also known as the Ballroom or the Count’s Hall where statue's and portrait's were on display. The Library, had painting's depicting scenes from legends and actual historical events concerning the history of the first two Castle's. We saw the former private quarters of the king and queen, the Treasure Chamber, which has occupied the premises of the former castle kitchens since the 1950s. It's here, the Crown created for the Prussian king in 1889, is on display. Other valuable articles produced by gold and silver smith's, valuable Porcelain, Medal's, Keepsake's, Clothing, plus weapons and armour.

One of the most famous exhibits is a snuff box, which used to belong to Friedrich the Great.
It saved his life at the battle of Kunersdorf, by deflecting a bullet that had been fired at him.

Just wished I could have taken photo's for my memory, but......

NO PHOTO'S ARE ALLOWED

Well, I just had to make do with the outsdie!