The Baden-Baden Castle Ruins in Germany are the largest and most impressive castle ruins the author has explored, taking over 30 minutes to fully examine. Located in the northern Black Forest, the ruins sit high on a hill and offer outstanding views of the surrounding area. In addition to its large size, the ruins are also home to Europe's largest wind harp, with 120 strings. Best of all, entry to experience these magnificent Baden-Baden Castle Ruins is completely free.

1. My Favorite Castle Ruins in Germany
monkeysandmountains.com /f avorite-castle-ruins-in-germany
I have explored quite a few castle ruins in Germany. While I always enjoy visiting them, I recently visited some castle
ruins that took my breath away.
T he Baden-Baden Castle Ruins quickly became my f avorite castles ruins in Germany.
This is a bold statement considering there are ~ 25,000 castles/castle ruins in Germany. After looking at the photos you
will see why:
Baden- Baden is a spa town

2. Baden- Baden is a spa town
located in the northern Black
Forest Bill Clinton once famously
quoted “Baden- Baden is so nice
that you have to name it twice.”
Officially the castle is known as
Hohenbaden Castle, but locally
as Altes Schloss, meaning Old
Castle, a well deserved name
considering the castle was built
in 1102. The castle sits high on
a hill which ambitious visitors can
reach through a forested hiking
path. Less energetic visitors via
car, similar to Hohenz ollern
Castle. Once visitors have
passed the entrance way, this is
what awaits them (above photo).
T he Baden-Baden Castle
Ruins are by f ar the
largest castle ruins I’ve
ever been to!
They’re much larger than the
castle ruins in Stuttgart or other
castle ruins that I have come
across while hiking. Normally I
can explore castle ruins in about
10 minutes.
It took us over 30 minutes
to f ully explore these
castle ruins complete with
secret dungeons!
I was seriously jealous of the
people having breakfast (shown
in above photo) on the castle
ruins makeshift terrace. There is
Th e e n tr a n ce to Al te s S ch l o s s ( O l d Ca s tl e ) i n B a d e n B a d e n .

3. ruins makeshift terrace. There is
also a
In te r i o r o f th e ca s tl e r u i n s i n B a d e n -B a d e n .

4. Th e ca s tl e r u i n s i n B a d e n B a d e n a r e th e l a r g e s t ca s tl e r u i n s I’ve e xp l o r e d i n G e r m a n y.
restaurant in the castle ruins, but the view from where they were sitting is outstanding! Needless to say I already hinted,
perhaps not so subtly, to J.P. (my German fiance) how grateful I would be if he could make this happen someday.
Not only is the Baden-

5. Not only is the BadenBaden Castle Ruin the
largest castle ruin I have
ever been too, but it also
houses Europe’s largest
wind harp!
The harp has 120 strings and
measures almost 4 meters!
There was a gentle breez e the
day we went and a soft calming
sound could be heard from the
wind harp.
Th e l a r g e s t wi n d h a r p i n Eu r o p e i s a l s o fo u n d a t th i s ca s tl e r u i n i n B a d e n -B a d e n .

6. The views from this castle ruins are impressive overlooking both the Black Forest and the Rhine Valley. The views are
maximiz ed by the walkway at the top of the castle ruins. I can see why the Margraves of Baden (a title given to the
counts of Baden) choose to live here from the 11th to the 15th century.
The

7. The
Th e ca s tl e r u i n s h a ve b u i l t i n m o d e r n l i g h te n i n g p r o te cti o n .
outstanding views afforded by the castle ruins do have a downside though. The risk of being struck by lightening! It’s a
real concern as many castles in Germany have been badly damaged by lightening at some point. I.e. Heidelberg
Castle. Fortunately the Altes Schloss has modern built in lightening protection in which if it gets struck, the current runs
down these wires and into the ground. (I’m sure it’s a bit more complicated than that, but that’s the gist of it).

8. As if
t hat
Vi e w o f th e ca s tl e r u i n s a n d th e B l a ck Fo r e s t.
wasn’t enough, guess what t he cost is t o ent er t he Baden-Baden Cast le Ruins?……FREE!
Unbelievable!
For more information see the City of Baden- Baden Tourist information
Baden- Baden
About Laurel
Laurel Robbins is a free- spirited adventurer, award- winning travel blogger at Monkeys and Mountains
Adventure Travel Blog. Many hats, one travel obsessed Canadian in Germany.