Hohenzollern Castle Editorial Photo

Hohenzollern Castle is approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of Stuttgart, Germany. It is considered the ancestral seat of the Hohenzollern family, which emerged in the Middle Ages and eventually became German Emperors. The castle was first constructed in the early 11th century and completely destroyed after a 10-month siege in 1423 by the imperial cities of Swabia. A second, larger and more sturdy castle was constructed from 1454 to 1461, and served as a refuge for the Catholic Swabian Hohenzollerns during wartime; including during the Thirty Years' War. By the end of the 18th century, however, the castle gradually fell into disrepair, leading to the demolition of several dilapidated buildings. Today, only the chapel remains from the medieval castle. The third version of the castle, which stands today, was constructed for King Frederick William IV of Prussia between 1846 and 1867. The design is based on English Gothic Revival architecture and the castles of the Loire Valley.