Schwarzburg Castle

Schwarzburg Castle is dramatically perched on a steep porch of rock above the Schwarza river deep in the Thuringian Forest, serving as the residence of the Counts and later Princes of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt from the 12th century until the monarchy fell in 1918. The castle grew over centuries into an eclectic ensemble: the upper castle retains its medieval character with thick walls and a tower keep, the Renaissance wing was added in the 16th century with ornate gables and oriel windows, and the Baroque residential building was built in the early 1700s to accommodate a growing court. The museum inside covers the Schwarzburg dynasty's history, including the notable 1835 visit by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and the castle's role in the Romantic movement that rediscovered the Schwarzatal valley as a destination for artists and writers. The castle park, laid out in the English style with winding paths and benches overlooking the valley, connects directly to the well-marked Schwarzatal hiking route that follows the river through gorges and forest. The ascent from the village of Schwarzburg is steep and takes about 20 minutes on foot, so sturdy shoes are recommended. The castle can also be reached by car via the L1112 from Rudolstadt, about 12 kilometres away.