Tubingen - Lichtenstein Castle - Hohenzollern Castle

Route: Strasbourg - Tubingen - Lichtenstein Castle - Hohenzollern Castle - Strasbourg
Duration: 12 h
Our first stop will be at the city of Tübingen and discover  the most beautiful parts of the town while introducing you to its rich and fascinating history. This walking tour will bring you to the Castle Lane which is one of Tübingen’s earliest streets with some of the oldest houses. You will see Castle Hohentübingen where you can enjoy the views on the city, the Neckar and Ammer valleys and the extended region up to the Swabia Jura. In the Old Town you will wander along the Market Square where you can admire the picturesque half-timbered house. Discover the medieval City Hall with its richly decorated facade and an artful astronomical clock. From there, you will take to the central landmark of the city, the St. George's Collegiate Church. Our next stop will be at the Lichtenstein castle where the lineage of the Knights of Lichtenstein – a respectable and noble family – subsisted until the 17th century. Their ancestral seat Lichtenstein Fortress was situated directly above Honau and the source of the river Echaz, a site which today is called “Old Lichtenstein”. The new Lichtenstein Fortress, built in 1390, was considered to be one of the best-fortified fortresses of the Middle Ages and withstood every single attack. In 1567, however, it lost its status as ducal seat and deteriorated. In 1837 Count Wilhelm of Württemberg bought the hunting lodge and the surrounding estate from his cousin King Wilhelm of Württemberg. Inspired by the novel “Lichtenstein” by Wilhelm Hauff and with the aid of architect Heideloff Count Wilhelm of Württemberg then had a German medieval knight’s castle built in 1840-42. This new construction included the foundation walls of the ancient fortress up to the third floor. Adjoining buildings and facilities, a courtyard and a curtain wall completed the castle complex.  The casle's tour leading the visitor from the first to the second floor of the castle. On the first floor there are the armoury, a little chapel with precious glass paintings from the 15th and 16th century, medieval paintings and a cozy drinking room with beautiful planking and mural paintings showing cheerful toasts. On the second floor the visitor finds a richly painted room with coats of arms and the bay room with medieval furniture rich in detail. The visitor then enters the biggest and most beautiful room of the castle, the knight’s hall. Its walls are panelled in wood and its ceiling is painted most finely and effectively. In the castle’s staircase the famous painting „Schütze vom Lichtenstein“ – „Archer of Lichtenstein“ marks the end of the tour. Our next stop will be at the Hohenzollern Castle, the ancestral seat of the family dynasty, is situated at the periphery of the Swabian Alb. It is no museum in its traditional sense but a historic as well as a distinct lively place which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world all year round. During the visit you will follow in the footsteps of the Hohenzollern royal family as you embark on an inspiring journey behind the scenes of history. Take a fascinating walk through more than one thousand years of royal history and culture, getting to know the protagonists and observing architectural change through the centuries while you discover major historic events from a new perspective. Besides essential parts of castle's art collection, including a significant picture gallery, valuable silver and china as well as the Prussian King’s Crown , your guide will offer thought-provoking details on the various paintings, furniture, and artistic styles you encounter. After we will return to Strasbourg.
Price: Per person