Hohenzollern Castle, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Castle in the sky. Hohenzollern Castle near Stuttgart, Germany

For the charming Hohenzollern Castle in south-west Germany, third time really was the charm. Built on the top of Hohenzollern Mountain in the 11th century, the castle was largely ruined by a 10-month siege in 1423, only to be rebuilt a few decades later.

It then served as an important strategic stronghold before again falling into disrepair. In the 19th century, King Frederick William IV of Prussia, famous for his commitment to building great works across Germany, had a new castle built on the grounds, replacing most of the 15th century building.

Today, Hohenzollern Castle, in Baden-Württemberg, is an open-air museum that hosts more than 350,000 visitors per year, making it one of the most-visited castles in Germany.