Burg Veldenstein Castle, Neuhaus, Germany

Perhaps my biggest castle related thrill has been sleeping in a Bavarian Castle. Over the weekend I traveled with my German hosts, Gudrun, her husband Uwe, and their four children Simon, Fenja, Daniel and Lea south into Bavaria to Neuhaus, Germany. Here we stayed at Burg Veldenstein.

The castle history reaches all the back into the year 1008, when it was erected as a fortress to protect the border against intruders. Over the years the leadership has changed several times, from the Hohenstaufen to the Bishops of Bamberg, Knight of Epstein to the management of Middle Franconia.

Perhaps the most infamous resident was Hermann Goring and his family who lived in the castle during the period of the Third Reich. During this period an air raid bunker was built under the castle for protection. Rumor has it that Goring hid many Nazi looted treasures in the castle, but I found none of them.

Today the castle is owned by several people and serves as a hotel and restaurant. One of its towers is owned by a friend of my hosts, and we got to sleep in it. Here are some photos of this amazing castle.