The Stuttgart region has an unusually large number of formidable castles, magnificent palaces and grand stately homes. Many of them are visible from afar, perched on outcrops of rock, mountain peaks or hilltops, others are hidden behind solid walls or in the middle of huge parks. All of them are inextricably linked to the history of Germany or Europe and make it come alive in an extremely vivid way.
Today, only very few castles and palaces are used as private homes. Many of them are open to visitors as interesting and outstanding museums, some also serve as congress and conference centres.
Those planning a tour of palaces should on no account miss magnificent Ludwigsburg Palace , a former royal residence and one of Europe’s largest surviving Baroque palaces.
Only a stone’s throw away, idyllically situated in the middle of a large game park, is Favorite, the fascinating former hunting and pleasure palace.
Leonberg Palace, the former dowager’s residence, is somewhat smaller. Its most outstanding feature is the enchanting “Pomeranzengarten”, or orangery, one of Europe’s few surviving terraced gardens from the High Renaissance period.
The distinctive and majestic Teck Castle is perched on the edge of the Swabian Alb, its lookout tower offering magnificent panoramic views over the particularly delightiful surrounding scenery.
From the Grosscomburg, originally founded in the 11th century as a Benedictine monastery, there are also wonderful views over the town of Schwäbisch Hall.
Especially fascinating are the numerous castle ruins just asking to be explored in the Stuttgart area, including those of Hohenstaufen and Hohenneuffen and the region’s oldest castle ruin, Nippenburg.