A tourist trip to Germany is impossible without visiting the majestic and beautifully preserved German castles. Throughout the country, there are a huge number of them and many deserve attention, but consider the ten most beautiful and famous. These selected monuments of architecture and history are real pearls in the necklace of castles in Germany.
1. Burg Eltz snugly located in the Mossel River Valley near Koblenz. This medieval castle, built presumably in the 12th century, has never been subjected to capture and ruin. For more than 800 years, the monument has been owned by members of the Eltz family who care about its preservation. In the years 1845-1888, a significant restoration of the entire complex was carried out, which spent an amount approximately equivalent to 8 million euros. For tourists, the treasury of the castle is of particular interest, in which more than 500 various exhibits dating from the 12-19th centuries are collected.
2. Neuschwanstein (Schloss Neuschwanstein) It is recognized as the most beautiful castle not only in Germany, but throughout the world. This amazing fairytale castle is located in the heart of Bavaria. Neuschwanstein was built by Ludwig II in the most beautiful place that could be found. The castle has been open for visitors since 1886. It was Neuschwanstein that became the prototype of the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Paris. 
3. Hohenschwangau It is located in Bavaria just a couple of hundred meters from the Neuschwanstein castle. The castle was built on the ruins of the ancient Schwanstein fortress. The present look of Hohenschwangau took in 1837. About 300 thousand tourists from all over the world visit it annually. Among the famous sights of the castle is the piano of the great composer Richard Wagner.
4. Hohenzollern (Burg Hohenzollern) - This is a magnificent castle in the clouds. Hovering on top of a mountain of the same name, it served as the residence of the rulers of the Hohenzollern dynasty, who remained in power until the end of the First World War. Hohenzollern is one of Germany's most visited attractions. Tourists can get acquainted with the richly furnished interior of this wonderful building, designed in the likeness of medieval knight's castles.
5. Levenburg (Schloss L? Wenburg) - Leo's castle. It is unique in that it was designed in the seventeenth century as romantic medieval ruins. Levenburg is the first neo-Gothic building in Germany. During the Second World War, the castle was severely damaged and was reconstructed. Located near the city of Kassel, today it attracts many tourists. Near the palace there is an armory where you can study weapons and armor of the 15-16 centuries.
6. Johannisburg (Schloss Johannisburg) located in the city of Aschaffenburg on the banks of the Main. Majestic and beautiful, he is distinguished by the simplicity of lines and the right proportions. Built in the Renaissance, it nevertheless has a strict look that is enlivened by peaks in the central part of the roofs, as well as corner towers and donjons. Until 1803, the castle was the suburban residence of the Mainz archbishops. During the Second World War, the castle was badly damaged and was restored.
7. Meersburg (Alte Burg Meersburg), located on the picturesque shore of Lake Baden in Baden-Württemberg, is an example of late Gothic and Baroque architecture. Meersburg is the oldest residential fortress in all of Germany. This fortress includes more than thirty rooms adapted for a comfortable life: a dining room, bedrooms, a banquet hall, an old kitchen, and others.
8. Stolzenfels on the Rhine (Schloss Stolzenfels) - This is an old castle recognized by UNESCO as a part of the world heritage. Its construction took place between 1242 and 1259. Stolzenfels on the Rhine was almost completely destroyed in 1689, and lay in ruins for almost 150 years. The restoration of the castle was organized by Friedrich Wilhelm of Prussia, who then made it his residence. For the latest modern restoration of the castle allocated 16 million euros.
9. Marksburg located on a hilltop in the upper reaches of the Rhine near the city of Braubach. The castle was erected on the site of the Frankish watchtower, dated to the 10th century. Marxburg was the only fortress on the Rhine that survived the French invasion in the 12th century. Additional buildings erected in the 17-18 centuries do not spoil the look of a real medieval castle. In 2002, Marxburg was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
10. Königstein (Festung K? Nigstein) - This is a powerful fortress in the vicinity of Dresden. This grandiose building was erected on top of a cliff with an area of 9.5 hectares. Königstein Fortress was founded in the eleventh century and today is recognized as the most powerful in Europe. During the Second World War, the cellars of the fortress served to store the masterpieces of world art of the Dresden Gallery. It offers tourists free access to the castle, gun batteries, casemates and ravelin. 
Castles of Germany and to this day amaze us with its majestic beauty. Each of the described architectural and historical ensembles is a wonderful legend that I want to touch.
