Fancy visiting a castle?
Let’s go to the Löwenburg Castle!

Simply magnificent: the Löwenburg Castle in Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe with its many turrets and embellishments is a real eye-catcher! But although it looks like a medieval castle ruin, the Löwenburg Castle is nowhere near as old as it looks: it was only constructed at the end of the 18th century by order of Landgrave William IX (later Elector William I). In this way, he achieved his dream of a romantic pleasure palace where he was able to feel like a noble knight. Whether it is “truly medieval” or not, a visit to the castle, which was only reopened in 2022 after extensive restoration work, is worth it!

Architectural work of art shines with renewed splendour

What does a prosperous landgrave do when he wants to immerse himself in the legend-steeped world of the Middle Ages? Isn’t it obvious? He builds himself a knight’s castle! That is exactly what happened over 200 years ago in what was then the royal seat of Kassel, when Landgrave William IX commissioned his court architect Heinrich Christoph Jussow to construct the Löwenburg Castle – one of the first castle ruins built in a medieval style in Europe.

After the foundation stones for a four-storey tower with living quarters were first laid in 1793, the other parts of the castle, which looks – especially on the outside – like a derelict ruin, followed until the castle was completed in 1801. And an authentic-looking medieval backdrop was also created around the castle – with a romantic castle garden and, of course, a tiltyard, amongst other things.

In the Second World War, British bombs unfortunately made the Löwenburg Castle into an actual ruin, which has only been faithfully restored in the past few years and now shines with renewed splendour. The restoration work included the reconstruction of the imposing main tower, which can now finally be ascended again. You are also invited to explore the royal chambers, which are furnished in a medieval style.

10 years UNESCO World Heritage Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe:
Celebrate the big anniversary with us!

From the Hercules Monument to the baroque waterworks and down to Wilhelmshöhe Palace and Löwenburg Castle: Wilhelmshöhe Mountain Park is a unique example of European horticultural art and is full of historical testimonies of international standing. Exactly ten years ago, it was therefore declared a cultural and natural heritage of humanity by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. An anniversary that will be duly celebrated in 2023 - with a diverse program, guided tours and festivities, as well as a special exhibition in Wilhelmshöhe Palace: Under the motto "Bergpark Reloaded," it offers fascinating insights into the planning of the Baroque building project and makes the Bergpark a digital experience.

More about the exhibition series "Bergpark Reloaded"

Anniversary tour through the Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe

Knightly final resting place: the castle chapel

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The Gothic-style castle chapel is a real gem. It had a particular significance for William IX right from the start – because this was to be his final resting place. After his death in 1821, he was in fact buried in a tomb under the chapel.

Whilst the medieval-style furnishings of the three-aisled buildings were also designed by Heinrich Christoph Jussow, the historic chapel windows come from various churches in Kassel and date back to the 13th to 16th century – and thus fit well with the conceived year of construction of the Löwenburg Castle, which was set at 1495. You should definitely look at the stone knight’s tomb behind the altar, which shows a life-size knight in a suit of armour.

Iron suits of armour and a gruesome legend: the armoury

Right next to the castle chapel is the Löwenburg Castle’s armoury. Here, in addition to numerous suits of armour, you can admire a life-size tournament rider along with his horse. Another eye-catching feature is the armour of the “Black Knight”, which is associated with a gruesome legend: after William’s death, the funeral procession was led to the Löwenburg Castle by the 27-year-old Christian von Eschwege, who had put on the armour for this as the “Death Knight”. The young man died just a few days later – probably of a severe cold because he had sweated heavily under the armour. This fulfilled the legend that anyone who wears the black armour will also be overtaken by death. The ghost of the Black Knight can allegedly still be seen in the vicinity of the Löwenburg Castle every 17 years …

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Romantic and knightly: around the Löwenburg Castle

There is also a lot to discover outside the Löwenburg Castle – the medieval ambience was supposed to continue here. A good impression of this is provided by the partially preserved gardens, where you will encounter a sculpture of Venus and Amor between carefully clipped hedges. There was also a tiltyard laid out to the west of the Löwenburg Castle, but its stands are now no longer preserved. Fruit trees, a vegetable garden and a fallow deer enclosure were to aid the self-sufficiency of the inhabitants of the castle, and there was also a vineyard. After a visit to the Löwenburg Castle in the summer months, you can relax here and feel as if you have stepped back in time to the age of chivalry …

Enter, ladies and gentlemen: guided tours through the Löwenburg Castle

Do you fancy a twofold journey through time? On a guided tour through the Löwenburg Castle, you will be taken back to the time of Landgrave William IX, whilst at the same time letting yourself be fascinated by the almost perfect illusion of the Middle Ages. The interiors of the Löwenburg Castle can only be entered in a guided tour. The approximately one-hour tour also gives you the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful view from the castle tower. It is best to reserve your tickets early!

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