After a solo tour of Schloss Lichtenstein, we arrived at Burg Hohenzollern to find that they're in…read morefull Christmas Markets season. The place was crowded and lively and quite busy. You'll park in a lower parking lot adjacent to the gift shop. A shuttle van will bring you almost to the entrance of the castle. From there, it's a bit of a walk. It is barely handicapped accessible though the castle itself is not at all wheelchair friendly and many rooms require transiting a number of stairs. The current castle was built between 1846 and 1867 in a Gothic Revival style and influenced by the Châteaux of the Loire Valley. The exterior is regal, dominating the hill it resides on. Inside, each room is decorated with period furniture and artifacts that were owned by Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia. The vault in the basement contains the Crown of Wilhelm II and a uniform that belonged to King Frederick the Great. No photographs allowed in that room but the rest of the castle, absolutely. [Review 21244 overall - 248 in Germany - 209 of 2024.]

Beautiful castle! Pretty views from the top. But getting there from Stuttgart was really…read morebreathtaking as well. We took public transportation which is not recommended. It took 3 hours one way to get there by trains and bus. If you have a car it takes an hour. I would say it was worth it, but we were exhausted by the end of the day. The castle had a cafe that actually tasted pretty good.

Nighttime in Stuttgart and in November, the Christmas markets and Christmas decorations are in full…read moreswing. A little too cold to hang out for too long (Unless you're wearing a beer coat. You know what a beer coat is, right?) but plenty of time to enjoy the season! Schlossplatz is the largest open square in the city and dates back to the 1800's when it was built as a parade ground. There is a very crowded Christmas market here with security checking COVID passes at the entrance. A little too dense with people for me so we walked the square and took pictures. Absolutely perfect! [Review 16405 overall - 210 in Germany - 1912 of 2021.]

Went to Stuttgart for a day trip and went to Schlossplatz. It is a nice place to visit. Plenty of…read morecafes and beer gardens around the place. Was busy and loads of people hanging around the area. The weather was great & so was the atmosphere. Looking forward to going back there again

Don't miss this experience on your trip to Esslingen! Get the best views of the city here!…read more The "Berg" or fortresss in Esslingen is comprised of two towers and a long wall and can be seen from a distance when you're approaching the city from the hill. It's a nice workout to walk up, either by the steep stairs or the pathway up. At the top are gorgeous views of the city of Esslingen, an expansive grass area great for picnics or taking a break, and even a restaurant.

Esslingen castle is the most famous sightseeing in Esslingen am Neckar, favourite place to walking…read morefor tourists and inhabitants of the city as well. Place to relax and enjoy solitude in a tranquil environment only a few steps away from noisy city. I should mention that the way to the top of the hill is short but not so easy because of its quite steep rise (in my opinion). But from the very top of the hill you'll be rewarded by amazing view over Esslingen which is especially great at night!!!

Schwäbisch Hall or Hall for short was first mentioned in a document dating from 1063. It's…read moreunclear, but Hall possibly refers to the open-pan salt making method used there until the saltworks closed down in 1925. Salt was produced from brine by the Celts at the site of Schwäbisch Hall as early as the fifth century BC. Hall flourished through the production of salt and coins after imperial mint was founded by Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa. Hall became a Free Imperial City of the Holy Roman Empire around 1280. From the 14th to the 16th centuries, Hall systematically acquired a large territory in the surrounding area, mostly from noble families and the Comburg Monastery. The wealth of this era can still be seen in some gothic buildings like St. Michael's Church (rebuilt 1427-1526) with its impressive stairway (1507). The town joined the Protestant Reformation very early. Johannes Brenz, a follower of Martin Luther, was made pastor of St. Michael's Church in 1522 and quickly began to reform the church and the school system along Lutheran lines. Hall suffered severely during the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) though it was never besieged or scene of a battle. However, it was forced to pay enormous sums to the armies of the various parties, especially to the imperial, Swedish and French troops. Between 1634 and 1638 every fifth inhabitant died of hunger and disease, especially from the bubonic plague. The war left the town an impoverished and economically ruined place, but with the help of reorganizations of salt production and trade and a growing wine trade, there was an astonishingly fast recovery. The Napoleonic wars brought the history of Hall as a Free Imperial City to an end. Following the Treaty of Lunéville (1801), the duke of Württemberg was allowed by Napoleon to occupy the town and several other minor states as a compensation for territories on the Left Bank of the Rhine that fell to France. Although Swäbisch Hall doesn't have any medieval fortifications walls surrounding it like Rothenburg o. d. T. or Dinkelsbühl, it certainly provides a very quaint medieval atmosphere with its numerous half-timbered houses and buildings, cobble stone streets, massive Gothic church on the hill, and Kocher River running through it. You can certainly enjoy strolling and wandering in this town for hours imagining how one's life might have been during those days. You'll enjoy visiting this town.