I went to Burg Hohenneuffen on the recommendation of a German neighbor, and I couldn’t have been happier. So first off, if you’ve stumbled upon this blog post because you’re thinking about going to Burg Hohenneuffen, think no more. Go!
Hohenneuffen was built between 1100 and 1120, which makes it roughly 900 years old. It’s another stark example of just how little frame of reference an American traveler like myself has for this level of history. I’m so grateful for this trip.
Getting to Burg Hohenneuffen is fairly simple. I was coming from Stuttgart, so about an hour drive, but wherever you are in Germany or eastern France, you’re not far and putting the location in your GPS will take you right to it. I found out the hard way that some castle ruins aren’t so easy to find. There’s one I still have to go look for again because I drove around what should have been the entrance for almost an hour before giving up and going home.
That’s not the case with Burg Hohenneuffen, however. The directions get you right to it and parking is easy. Once you’re parked, it’s a simple 15-minute walk to the castle itself.
The owners of the fortress host many events there, such as weddings, office holiday parties, and the like. I got a little worried that maybe that’s all they did (meaning that I couldn’t go an poke around on my own), so I reached out to the contact on the website and received a wonderful email back from the owner, saying, “You can visit the castle by your own. 😄We are looking forward to welcome you.” – Pascall
Just as soon as you go through the entrance, you’re face to face with the daunting walls of the castle proper. No picture will really do. You have to see it for yourself. Having said that, the walls are tall, sturdy…the word impregnable comes to mind. Since I’ve also toured the Wartburg Castle in Germany and the Warwick Castle in England, I feel like I know a thing or two about that word, and it is suitable for Hohenneuffen.
Something I enjoyed immensely about Burg Hohenneuffen is that you’re literally seeing how it was built up from the rock base (the walls were built from a nearby quary). Obviously that rock face makes it impossible for an invading force to attack it. The only way into the castle was through the entrance that you take from the parking lot. It’s just wonderful to see how it was laid out, and to try and imagine what the original designers were thinking.
The castle had a main corridor just off the courtyard (where the restaurant and coffee shop are). Like a 5 year old who’s parents turned away from him for a minute, I went through the corridor, almost slipping a few times on damp rocks, to uncover a part of the castle that “needs” renovation. I hope they never do it. There’s a certain level of history that needs to be left as time has affected it. That’s just my opinion, of course, but I enjoyed finding a few rooms that were in states of decay.
Back in the courtyard, I enjoyed a cappuccino in the cool morning air and took in my surroundings. For some reason, I failed to take a photo of the courtyard. Oh well. Guess I’ll just have to go back!
If you want to see a castle that isn’t over-hyped but still gives you a good feel for the history of Germany’s medieval period, I can’t recommend Burg Hohenneuffen enough. If you’ve gone to the castle, let me know what you thought in the comments. If you plan to go, shoot me a note to ask any questions!
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