{"id":13145,"date":"2024-12-13T01:12:34","date_gmt":"2024-12-13T00:12:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/angiestravelroutes.com\/?p=13145"},"modified":"2026-02-20T23:13:31","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T22:13:31","slug":"hohenzollern-castle-winter-magic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/angiestravelroutes.com\/en\/burg-hohenzollern-winterzauber\/","title":{"rendered":"12 of 12 in December 2024: History, glitter and mulled wine at Hohenzollern Castle"},"content":{"rendered":"

I have planned a special Christmas experience for today. I'm going to the K\u00f6niglicher Winterzauber (Royal Winter Magic)<\/strong> - in my opinion the most beautiful Christmas event in our region. Artistic illuminations accompanied by music transform the impressive castle grounds into a magical world and create a unique atmosphere. The princely chambers are magnificently decorated and open to visitors, as is the atmospheric chapel. Christmas stalls in the castle courtyard tempt visitors with mulled wine, waffles and regional specialties. I was there in 2021 - when there were no Christmas markets during the pandemic - and really enjoyed it. By the way, we owe this event to the pandemic when special events were allowed, but Christmas Markets were not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My pre-Christmas plan: The royal winter magic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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My plan for today is to park my car at the Zollersteighof and walk to the viewpoint at the Zeller Horn to take a few photos. I would have enough time for that because tickets for the castle were only available from 5pm. I booked online because the Royal Winter Magic is very popular and sells out days in advance - even during the week. My ticket cost 23 \u20ac<\/strong> and includes the shuttle service as well as a tour of the castle inside and out. You can find out why it's actually a palace rather than a castle in my article Castle or Palace: What are the Differences?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hohenzollern Castle \"Royal Winter Magic\" info<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Address: <\/strong>72379 Hohenzollern Castle<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opening hours:<\/strong> until January 6, 2025, Sunday to Thursday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., from December 25 daily 3 - 9 p.m. Last admission to the castle grounds 60 minutes before the end, last admission to the showrooms 30 minutes before the end. Attention: there are some rest days (see website)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Admission:<\/strong> All current prices and the possibility to book tickets online on the website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For further information, visit the official website of Hohenzollern Castle<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dull start: shopping instead of hiking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The weather is much worse than forecast. It's not raining, but it's dull and gray. In Bisingen, I realize that the Alb is covered in fog and I can forget about my little hike. There's nothing to see of the castle, so I can save myself the Zeller Horn. After a look at Google Maps, I decide on the Mey and Schiesser underwear outlets as an alternative. I pick up a few bargains, which have a positive effect on my mood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Mey<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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A cozy stopover in Albstadt<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Now it's only 2:30 p.m. and I decide to drive to Albstadt-Ebingen, have a coffee and see if I can find a few more Christmas presents in the stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I'm lucky with the caf\u00e9. In Josis Klause<\/a><\/strong>a cosy, festively decorated feel-good place with an adjoining guesthouse - the owner offers her appetizing-looking, home-baked cakes. I enjoy a speculoos and mandarin cream cake with my cappuccino. Afterwards, I stroll through the cozy but unspectacular pedestrian zone and buy a few sweet gifts at AlbstadtLiebe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Josis<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The first view of the majestic castle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By now it's after 4 p.m. and it's high time I made my way to the castle. The mighty castle emerges from the fog just before I climb the Zollerberg. I find a place to stop and take a photo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Hohenzollern<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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With the shuttle bus to the Adlertor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are parking lot attendants at parking lot 2 far below the castle. If you haven't booked online, you can make your way back straight away, because the Winterzauber is sold out. I join the queue at the shuttle bus stop. The first two buses leave without me because there are too many people waiting ahead of me. But it only takes about a quarter of an hour before I'm on the bus too. My ticket is scanned in front of the Adlertor and then it's a short uphill walk in serpentines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Hohenzollern<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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There's plenty to see along the way - for example these wall niches with LED stars illuminated in different, changing colors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In the castle courtyard: magical illuminations and an atmospheric ambience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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When I arrive in the castle courtyard, the light show is in full swing. Stars, fairytale figures and the Hohenzollern coat of arms are projected onto the castle walls - simply magical!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Hohenzollern<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Hohenzollern<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Interior tour: Magnificent chambers and Christmas splendor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I'm already a bit chilled. Time to go inside. I'm allowed to take my rucksack inside, but I can't carry it on my back - I have to strap it to my stomach. Given the opulently furnished rooms, in which a lot can really get broken, this is understandable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first stop on the tour of the chambers is the Count's Hall with its richly decorated festive table and beautiful Christmas tree, on which baubles and lights twinkle in competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Hohenzollern<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The tour continues through the chambers of the king and queen, princes and princesses. You can't help but be amazed at all the splendor and magnificence. There is at least one Christmas tree in every room, always color-coordinated with the interior. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Hohenzollern<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Peace and contemplation in St. Michael's Chapel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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After the tour, I take a look inside St. Michael's Chapel. In the anteroom of the chapel there is an exhibition on the history of Christmas decorations made of glass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Hohenzollern<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Culinary finale under the full moon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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After watching the court juggler Klaus Kl\u00fccklich produce gigantic soap bubbles, I get myself a portion of Maultaschen with potato salad at the food stand in the castle garden. The food is delicious, as is the mulled wine. Now I can make my way home feeling refreshed. It was nice!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Hohenzollern<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Hohenzollern Castle at a glance<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Hohenzollern Castle sits majestically on an 855-metre-high mountain cone. It is the ancestral seat of the House of Hohenzollern, one of the most important German noble families, from which the kings of Prussia emerged from 1701, and the emperors of the German Empire from 1871 to 1918.<\/p>\n\n\n\n