Motorhome theme route Castles, Palaces and Monasteries

Immerse yourself in the past on the Castles, Palaces and Monasteries route - the region is dotted with magnificent buildings from long-gone days. Dive into the exciting history of the border region of Baden, Württemberg, and Franconia.Ancient monasteries, knightly castles, and noble palaces take you on a journey through history on this route. Where monks once lived, princes ruled, and German emperors held court, today you can wander through mystical walls, magnificent halls, and lavishly decorated salons, linger in historical pleasure gardens and well-kept castle cafes.Outstanding monumentsKloster Maulbronn is the best-preserved monastery complex north of the Alps, which is why it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mighty walls of the Romanesque church still exude the mystique of the Middle Ages today. In the cloister, early Gothic delicate vaults reach towards the sky. During guided tours, cultural events, and in several restaurants, guests can experience the monastery atmosphere up close. Also worth seeing is Schloss Weikersheim, an old water castle on the Tauber: In the huge knights hall, painted animal figures protrude from the walls, and a quirky stucco elephant stretches its trunk into the air. Precious Asian porcelain glitters in the mirror cabinet. And the noble living rooms in the main house of the Lords of Hohenlohe are lined with leather and gold. Kloster Schöntal is considered the pearl of the Jagsttal and is one of the most popular destinations in Hohenlohe. Founded by Cistercian monks from Maulbronn, it now houses a Catholic educational institution. Götz von Berlichingen is buried in the magnificent Baroque church. The abbey garden, the monastery shop, and the café are also worth a visit.Museums tell storiesHigh above the Jagsttal lies Schloss Langenburg, where the princely family of Hohenlohe-Langenburg still lives today. They invite visitors to two very different exhibitions: In the castle museum, they present the aristocratic residential and lifestyle culture of the Renaissance, with tapestries and faience, armor and hunting trophies. In the former royal stables, on the other hand, rolling rarities made of chrome and sheet metal, as well as personalities of automotive and motorcycle history, are on display in the Automobile Museum. Oldtimer meetings and princely garden days are popular events at Schloss Langenburg.Open-air summer in historical settingsNumerous stops on this route become picturesque settings for summer festivals and open-air theaters under the starry sky: The Burgfestspiele Jagsthausen present drama, concerts, and musical theater at the ancestral castle of the knight Götz von Berlichingen. The Freilichtspiele Neuenstadt turn the moat of the Neuenstadt Renaissance castle on the Kocher River into an open-air stage for plays. At Schloss Zwingenberg on the Neckar River, operas, operettas, and musicals take place outdoors in the castle courtyard. The Freilichtspiele Schwäbisch Hall annually perform classical comedies, contemporary plays, and childrens theater on the grand staircase of the St. Michael church.