Page 235 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Germany

DRIVE 22: Castles and Caves 233

(1580) beside the church is now
an attractive hotel, restaurant
and arts venue. On the opposite
side of its courtyard, a short path
leads along a cliff to a lookout with
great views of the town. The steps
up to the church and castle are
found by turning right out of the
Atomkeller and following the base
of the cliff.
ª From the car park turn left in
the direction of Rangendingen and
continue toward the signposted
Freilichtmuseum car park.
q Freilichtmuseum
Hechingen-Stein Above Soaring towers of the majestic
Baden-Württemberg; 72379 Turn right to car park at shuttle bus Neo-Gothic Burg Hohenzollern
A fascinating open-air museum, stop below Burg Hohenzollern. EAT AND DRINK
Freilichtmuseum Hechingen-Stein
(Apr–May & Oct: closed Mon; Jun–Sep: w Burg Hohenzollern DONAUESCHINGEN
open daily) preserves the ruins of a Baden-Württemberg; 72379
sizable Roman country estate, the Sitting on an isolated crag in a Hotel Linde moderate
A traditional restaurant serving a mix of
result of a chance discovery during broad valley, Burg Hohenzollern fish, meat and vegetarian dishes.
road construction. Between AD 1 (open daily) is one of Germany’s finest Karlstrasse 18, 78166; 0771 831 80;
and 3 this estate was of regional fairy-tale castles. Yet its medieval- www.hotel-linde-donaueschingen.de
importance and a vital staging post looking battlements and towers are Other options
for travellers passing through the deceptive, since they were built For simple pub food and a full range of
area. Some key buildings have been between 1846 and 1867, albeit using beers, try the Bräustüble (Postplatz 1),
reconstructed, while an ongoing the foundations of castles that have the inn of the Fürstenberg brewery. The
Öschberghof (Golfplatz 1, 78166; 0771
archaeological excavation uncovers stood here since the 11th century. 840) is the best restaurant in town.
more foundations beyond the estate Only St-Michael-Kapelle, a chapel
compound. Little is known about the with ornate stained glass, survives HAIGERLOCH
estate – even its name is a mystery – in its original state. The castle still Schloss Haigerloch expensive
but it was certainly destroyed by belongs to the Hohenzollern family, National and international dishes are
Germanic tribes as they pushed the who reigned over a united Germany offered at this classy restaurant. There is
live piano music on Saturday nights.
Romans out of southern Germany. between 1871 and 1918, and the Schlossstrasse 3, 72401 Haigerloch;
ª Exit the car park and take the first crown of German Emperor Wilhelm II 07474 69 30; closed Sun
right down Römerstrasse. Continue is the pride of the castle treasury. Other options
toward the B27 junction and drive Also among the family artifacts The traditional fare at the pretty Hotel
south until brown signs for Burg are several snuff boxes from the Restaurant Krone (Oberstadtstrasse 47,
Hohenzollern lead to the castle. collection of Frederick the Great. 07474 954 40) includes vegan options.
DAY TRIP OPTIONS Follow the tour to Ulm, but skip stop follow the B32 to turn left on to
With its pleasant atmosphere, at Blaubeuren. Follow the B28 to A8, the B463, and then left again to
Tübingen makes the best base then to Ulm. Return via the A8 and B28. Burg Hohenzollern.
along this drive. Local motorways,
particularly the A81, help speed up Castle hopping Scenic trail along the Danube
the return part of day trips to the Treat yourself to three of Germany’s The walk around picturesque
southern portion of the route. finest castles – Schloss Lichtenstein Blaubeuren 4 is a relaxed
2, Schloss Sigmaringen 6 and and scenic option. Next, follow
Caves and historic Ulm Burg Hohenzollern w – in a day the Danube to reach the imposing
Visit Schloss Lichtenstein 2 before and enjoy scenic drives on minor Benedictine monastery of
heading to explore the caves at roads across the Swabian Alb. Kloster Beuron 7.
Laichingen 3. Tour Ulm 5 at a
more relaxed pace, with an ascent of Follow the route to Schloss Lichtenstein Follow the tour to Blaubeuren, take the
the Münster spire and a visit to the and beyond to the B313, turn left to B492, turn right at the B311 and right
art museum, Kunsthalle Weishaupt, Gammertingen on to the B32. Turn again on to the B32 via Sigmaringen
as well as the Ulmer Museum. left to Sigmaringen. Retrace the route, to Beuron.

Eat and Drink: inexpensive under €20; moderate €20–€40; expensive over €40

232-233_175705_BR_GER.indd 233 18/07/16 12:16 pm