Station: [6] Castle Courtyard

You are now standing in the courtyard of Hohenzollern Castle, 855 meters above sea level. After passing through the gate tower and the final ascent, the heart of the complex opens up before you.

To your left, behind you, lies the castle garden “Unter den Linden.” It still invites visitors to linger today. In the past, kings and emperors sought peace and quiet here. Today, all visitors can treat themselves to a break in this spot, with a freshly tapped PREUßENS Pilsener and delicious food.

Before you rises the three-winged upper castle. It was built in the Neo-Gothic style. In the masonry, you can still clearly see the remains of the earlier castles based on the different colors of the stones. Thus, upon closer inspection, the long history of this place becomes apparent.

At the end of the left wing, you’ll see the Catholic St. Michael’s Chapel, dating from 1461. It was integrated into the complex during its reconstruction in the 19th century.

In front of it stands a statue of King Frederick William IV of Prussia. He was the patron who commissioned the construction of the present-day castle complex.

At the end of the right wing are the former guardhouse and the Protestant Chapel of Christ. Today, this building houses the administration offices, the offices of the Princess Kira of Prussia Foundation, the visitor information center, the restaurant, and the castle shop. And, quite conveniently, the modern restroom facilities as well.

In the center of the castle courtyard stands the approximately 300-year-old cannon named Hermann. It is arguably the most photographed exhibit at Hohenzollern Castle. The cannon barrel was cast in bronze in 1722 as a model of the Nuremberg “Feldschlange.” It was dedicated to Imperial Field Marshal Hermann, Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen.

The barrel is supported by an oak gun carriage. This carriage has certainly been replaced several times over the past 300 years. The most recent replacement took place in 2023.

To the right of it, an open staircase leads to the first floor. Above the staircase, a life-size statue of Count Jost Niklas I of Zollern has been installed. He is holding a model of the second castle he built in the 15th century.

If you take a moment here, you’ll see that the castle courtyard is a place where history, architecture, and modern life come together in a very direct way.