In Front of the Castle @museum.de

Welcome to Langenburg Castle!

We’re delighted be able to join you today as you make your way around the princely family’s residence. It is not just a castle museum, but also the home of Philipp Prince zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg, Princess Saskia and their children, whose lives revolve around it. But let’s start with a few words about local history:

The castle’s history can be traced back to the 12th century, when the Hohenstaufen dynasty ruled the Holy Roman Empire. Langenburg Castle has been owned by the princely family of Hohenlohe since the 13th century. In the 15th century, it was converted into an artillery fortress.

Count Philipp Ernst inherited the fortress in 1610 and turned Langenburg Castle into his official residence. During his rule, it was extended and remodelled into the Renaissance style.

A century and a half later, between 1757 and 1759, parts of the castle were rebuilt in the Baroque style. The east wing, which you’re facing at the moment, was given an almost neo-classical façade.

If you look up, you’ll notice the year of 1966 on the gable – which is unusual for a castle. That was the year it was rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1963. But more about that later.

Between the numbers 19 and 66, you can see the Hohenlohe-Croy alliance coat of arms, which combines the armorial bearings of the present Prince Philipp’s parents. On the left is that of his father, Prince Kraft zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg, and on the right that of his mother, Charlotte, Princess of Croy.

The union of these coats of arms develops its full impact in light of the disastrous fire of 1963. The House of Hohenlohe’s motto is "Ex flammis orior" – "Out of the flames I rise". That of the House of Croy is: "I uphold".

Please make your way inside! You’ll find the next stop on our tour in the archway on the left. Walk up a short flight of stairs to see one of our castle’s jewels.