Castles and Gardens of Europe

Burg Falkenstein (photo: Joachim Schneeleopard - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0)

Falkenstein Castle prepares for delayed reopening

FALKENSTEIN, GERMANY – Burg Falkenstein, one of the most iconic medieval castles in the Harz Mountains of Saxony‑Anhalt, is gearing up to reopen to the public after an extended closure due to significant repair work and restoration efforts. The revamped timeline targets late March 2026 for welcoming visitors again after unexpected structural setbacks delayed earlier... / READ MORE /

Lucy Worsley in 2019 (image: LiteraryCritic1, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons)

People

Lucy Worsley, Hostess of History (with a hairclip)

Small in stature, sharp in wit, armed with irony and...a hairclip. Lucy Worsley is Britain’s most personable custodian of the past. / READ MORE /

Stéphane Bern winner of the Golden Europa Nostra Award (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0, photo: ©Fabien MALOT)

People

Stéphane Bern, Monsieur Patrimoine

In France, where revolutions literally brought an end to the old world of aristocracy, one passionate man single-handedly succeeds in raising national interest in castles and palaces to unprecedented heights. He is dubbed Monsieur Patrimoine and was recently even crowned as the Pope of Heritage. Who is he? / READ MORE /

The magnificent Blenheim Palace (photo by Dreilly95, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

News

Hidden Signatures: Blenheim Palace discovers secret scribbles during renovation

High above the Great Hall of Blenheim Palace, where echoes of the past still linger, a team of conservators has stumbled upon a something rather remarkable. What began as a routine inspection during a multimillion-pound restoration has uncovered more than a dozen graffiti inscriptions: names, dates, and cryptic notes from the past. These scribbles offer... / READ MORE /

Giessen Castle, Germany (photo: Giacomo1970, CC BY-SA, via Wikimedia Commons)

People

Werner bought a castle and renovated it himself

Many people dream of owning a real castle, but only a few are fortunate enough to turn that dream into reality. Ninety-year-old Werner is one of them. He bought the medieval ruin of Castle Gießen in Kressbronn on Lake Constance, Germany, and transformed it—entirely with his own hands—into the castle of his dreams, German broadcaster SWR reports. / READ MORE /

Hohenzollern Castle, the seat of the former royal family of Germany (photo: Jonathan Sautter via Pixabay)

News

Hohenzollern Castle under sole ownership

Beginning next year, Prince Georg Friedrich of Prussia will become the sole owner of Hohenzollern Castle, the ancestral seat of the House of Hohenzollern. The news was made public through the official Instagram account of the House of Hohenzollern. Effective December 31, 2025, Prince Karl Friedrich of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen has transferred his one-third ownership share of the castle to his cousin. / READ MORE /

Johannisberg Castle and vineyard (photo: Pixabay)

News

Schloss Johannisberg awarded Europe’s Best Vineyard in 2025

Schloss Johannisberg, the historic estate in Germany’s Rheingau region, has been named the number one vineyard in Europe and second in the world in the prestigious The World’s 50 Best Vineyards 2025. This recognition highlights its exceptional Riesling wines and the unique combination of heritage, landscape and visitor experiences. / READ MORE /

Marienburg Castle in autumn light (Photo by Zagatta via Wikipedia)

News

German castle overrun by Maxton Hall fans

More than 6,000 fans of the hit series Maxton Hall descended on Marienburg Castle in Germany when it opened its doors. The unexpected crowd forced the Marienburg Castle Foundation to cancel two further public openings. / READ MORE /