The Celle Castle is the largest Castle in the Luneberg Heath region in Germany south of Hamburg and north of Hanover.
It was built over a 1000 years ago as a fortified wall tower guarding the river Aller.
It is currently a very popular tourist attraction as the oldest still existing royal house( the Guelphs) in Europe; it features amazing and very well preserved Renaissance architecture. There are daily tours ( no online reservations, have to go in to the ticket office $12 US adults), exhibitions and special events. This is a rare building and structure and it houses Europe's oldest Baroque theater, an absolutely stunning Chapel and just gorgeous green grounds( both photos) where you need to sit and enjoy these magnificent views, the surroundings and the air.
We visited in September of 2024 and loved the tour( available in English, French, German and Russian) with a very enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide Mila who made this fun for all ages including her fantastic details about the banished Danish Queen Mathilde who resided here 2 centuries ago.
Seeing this and reading about it is one thing; experiencing it in person is the real deal.
It is open year round*
closed every Monday
closed Christmas Eve
and from 01/12/26-3/31/26 for renovations(in time for the spring thaw and enjoying the grounds).
Hop on Hwy 1 then 7 as you had south from Hamburg and enjoy!! read more