Station: [8] Count's Hall

You are standing in the Count’s Hall, the castle’s banquet and dining hall. It is the largest and most impressive room in the complex.

Even the first impression is extraordinary. Freestanding columns of reddish Nassau marble support an impressive ribbed vault. This gives the hall the appearance of a three-nave church. This is no coincidence. King Frederick William IV was deeply religious. That is why the architect of Hohenzollern Castle, Friedrich August Stüler, drew inspiration from, among other things, the lower church of the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris and the chapel at Karlstein Castle near Prague. The result was an architectural innovation in the Neo-Gothic style, which was widespread in the 19th century.

If you look to your right, the Counts’ Hall is adjoined by the Imperial Hall in the Imperial Tower. A central column supports this room. Depicted there are emperors of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation. They made the Hohenzollerns’ rise to power possible. Thus, the architecture here tells a story not only of taste and style, but also of lineage and rule.

At the other end of the hall, you’ll see the Bishop’s Niche, which features depictions of ecclesiastical dignitaries from the family. Directly above it rises the Bishop’s Tower. At 73 meters, it is the highest point of the castle complex. At the same time, it symbolizes the high status of the Church and religion. There is no higher point in the castle, and the message is very clear.

The floor, too, speaks its own language. It consists of light and dark Solnhofen limestone and black and white Italian marble. This reflects the Hohenzollern’s heraldic colors of silver and black.

The red, velvet-upholstered chairs add a bold accent. Their backs feature the crowned eagle, the heraldic animal of the Prussian kings.

The atmosphere becomes especially festive when the gilded bronze candelabras are lit. Each one is equipped with 48 candles. They were and are lit on ceremonial occasions and during family concerts. Then the entire room shimmers in a warm, festive light.

To this day, the annual charity concert in support of the Princess Kira of Prussia Foundation is held here. The foundation was established in 1952 by Prince Georg Friedrich’s grandparents. It is named after his grandmother, a Russian grand duchess. To this day, it provides socially disadvantaged children and young people with free recreational stays here at the castle.

You will now enter the library through the gilded double doors.