Mystical places in southern Germany: castles, forests, lakes as excursion destinations
If you enjoy adventures and uncovering secrets, you should embark on a very special trip to southern Germany and discover plenty of magical places.
From dangerous lakes and mystical caves to haunted castles, the devil and Frankenstein: We travel with you to the most mysterious places in southern Germany .
Near Eberstadt, near Darmstadt, stands a castle with a famous name synonymous with spooky moments: Frankenstein Castle. Whether the castle actually has anything to do with Mary Shelley's world-famous novel "Frankenstein" has not been confirmed to this day. While there are historical references—the author is said to have passed by the castle on a journey—this has never been confirmed. Another legend says that the knight George von Frankenstein defeated a dragon in a quarry below the castle.
Exciting legend: Frankenstein Castle in the Odenwald is said to be the model for the novel “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley.
Source: IMAGO/Zoonar
What is known is that the castle was first mentioned in 1252 in a document by Konrad II Reiz of Breuberg and his wife Elisabeth of Weiterstadt. Their marriage gave rise to the noble family of the Lords of Frankenstein. However, the horror theme remained present at the castle for a long time: a Halloween party with horror actors was held there until 2023.
In southwest Germany, it's neither a sea of saltwater nor a sea of rivers that attracts visitors with its mysterious flair: In the Odenwald, you'll instead immerse yourself in a sea of rocks. Countless granite cliffs stretch across the 514-meter-high Felsberg. The oldest rocks are believed to be over 500 million years old.
A mysterious place in southern Germany: the sea of rocks in the Odenwald.
Source: IMAGO/Zoonar
A story is still told today about the origin of the Sea of Rocks: According to legend, two giants once lived here, one on the Hohenstein, the other on the Felsberg. Because they threw rocks at each other in a dispute, the area was buried under a sea of rocks.
In Franconian Switzerland, a cave exudes a mysterious atmosphere: The Devil's Cave Pottenstein is considered one of the most beautiful stalactite caves in Germany, home to magical stalagmites and stalactites. The Devil's Cave's passages extend over a length of three kilometers, and you can explore approximately 800 meters on a guided tour.
Mysterious atmosphere in the Devil's Cave Pottenstein, one of the most beautiful stalactite caves in Germany.
Source: imago stock&people
A mysterious atmosphere arises as you walk through vast halls and along narrow paths, accompanied by appropriate lighting and music. Even the mighty entrance, which resembles a portal, is impressive: The spacious grotto is suitable as a concert hall and theater, hosting various events in the summer.
One of the Palatinate's scenic landmarks towers prominently into the sky and bears a mysterious name: The Devil's Table in Hinterweidenthal in the southern Palatinate Forest is 14 meters high and stands on a 312-meter-high ridge. It is a mushroom-shaped rock, reminiscent of a table. Mushroom rocks are solitary rocks with a narrow base and a broad top.
Spectacular natural wonder: the Devil’s Table in the Palatinate Forest.
Source: imago/imagebroker
There are more than 20 such mushroom rocks in the Palatinate Forest, although they are all considerably smaller. The Devil's Table was formed with the formation of the first sandstone layers about 250 million years ago. A legend surrounds its origin: One night, the devil went for a walk, looking for a place to rest, but he couldn't find a spot that met his needs. Filled with anger, he is said to have seized three enormous boulders and assembled them into a table.
The nickname "bleeding lake" sounds like a great secret: The Alatsee in Bavaria is one of the most unusual lakes in Germany due to its color. On some days, the lake's surface shimmers red. Beneath the water's surface lies its secret: a toxic red layer of purple sulfur bacteria at a depth of 15 to 18 meters, which gives the lake its eerie appearance.
The water in the Alatsee near Füssen shimmers reddish on some days.
Source: imago images/imagebroker
There are several myths and legends surrounding Lake Alatsee. Mythical creatures and ghosts are said to dwell here, or hikers are drawn into the lake and lured into crevices in the earth. To this day, the lake is considered a disreputable place by the local population.
Also beneath the water's surface lies the secret of Lake Walchensee in the Bavarian foothills of the Alps. It is one of the largest and deepest Alpine lakes in Germany and conceals several wrecks on its bottom, which can even be explored by diving.
Mysterious: Several wrecks lie on the bottom of Lake Walchen.
Source: imago images/Westend61
The exceptionally clean water allows for visibility of up to 40 meters. The adventure begins underwater: During World War II, at least two aircraft attempted to land on the lake and sank. The wrecks of a VW Beetle and a Ford, located near the shore, are also popular with divers.
A great mystery has always surrounded the Kehlsteinhaus in the Berchtesgaden Alps at an altitude of 1,834 meters. Once built by the Nazi Party as a representative building, inhumane crimes were planned and ordered here during the Nazi dictatorship.
The Kehlsteinhaus was built by the Nazi Party as a representative building.
Source: IMAGO/Stefan M Prager
Today, the building, with its spooky history, is a place of learning and remembrance and has been open to the public since 1952. An exhibition tells the story, and the remaining rooms have been used as a restaurant ever since. From the terrace, you have a fabulous view of the mountain scenery. The Kehlsteinhaus is closed in winter.
There are many ghost stories in Bavaria, but one of the most mysterious takes place on the eastern shore of Lake Starnberg in the municipality of Berg. It is said that none other than the fairytale king is up to mischief here. King Ludwig II died under mysterious circumstances in 1886 while strolling by the lake.
Berg Castle on Lake Starnberg was the last residence of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, known as the Fairytale King.
Source: imago images/Heinz Gebhardt
The cause of death remains unknown to this day. According to the official version, he drowned on June 13, 1886, in Lake Starnberg, not far from Berg Castle. Since then, rumors have persisted that the place is haunted. People allegedly reported a kind of continuous loop showing the king in his final moments before his death, and a kind of water spirit that melts as soon as one approaches it.
Wolfsegg Castle, about 20 kilometers northwest of Regensburg, is also said to be haunted. Here, a castle stands on a high rocky outcrop. It was built in the mid-14th century and has a special feature: a stalactite cave in the rock below the building.
There is a stalactite cave below Wolfsegg Castle in the Regensburg district.
Source: imago images/H. Tschanz-Hofmann
The main protagonist of the mysterious haunting is said to be a white woman, who may be Klara von Helfenstein. She was once the wife of the castle lord Ulrich von Laaber, who had her murdered because she had fallen in love with a suitor. He buried her body in the castle courtyard. Since then, her ghost has reportedly been seen several times: Klara von Helfenstein appears as a kind of strip of fog, and eerie sounds and smells have also been perceived in the castle courtyard.
In a forest near Weilheim, a building still stands today that gives you goosebumps: The Plague Chapel is surrounded by several old wells in the shape of a pentagram. This was common practice in the Middle Ages to ward off demons. Even today, it is said that the forest within a five-kilometer radius of the chapel is cursed.
The chapel's name originated during the plague epidemic from 1632 to 1634, and the peasants dedicated the site to Saint Sebastian. It was said that no one would fall ill with the plague as far as the bells could be heard. Another story revolves around a 16th-century girl who was murdered near the chapel. She had a jet-black dog with fiery red eyes, which is said to still roam the forest howling at night.
The Blautopf near Ulm is famous for its blue color. This is caused by a physical effect of light scattering. Due to the clarity of the water and the high lime content, the light is scattered millions of times by tiny lime particles, giving the water its brilliant blue appearance.
The Blautopf in the Swabian Alb is famous for its water – and the dangers in the depths.
Source: imago images/Arnulf Hettrich
The Blautopf contains the Blauhöhle cave and a dangerous underground cave system. The first helmet diver entered the Blautopf in 1880, but it wasn't until 1957 that a diver reached the bottom. Following several diving accidents among recreational divers, some of which were fatal, the Blautopf was closed to divers in the 1980s. Due to renovation work, the area around the Blautopf is partially closed until 2028, but bridges are intended to make the attraction accessible .
Just outside the city of Saarbrücken, on the western slope of the Halberg, lies a mysterious place. Hidden here lies the Mithras Grotto, also known as the Heidenkapelle (Heathen Chapel). This is one of the oldest historical sites in the greater Saarbrücken area. Below the Halberg, there was once a Roman fort, and on the opposite bank of the Saar River, there was a Gallo-Roman settlement.
The Heidenkapelle on the Saarbrücken Halberg is one of the oldest historical sites in the greater Saarbrücken area.
Source: imago/Becker&Bredel
The Romans are said to have built a sanctuary in the natural cave and held secret ceremonies there. The pagan chapel was dedicated to Mithras, a Roman god of Persian origin. Mithraic sanctuaries were often carved into rock as cult caves at that time.
In the Saarlouis district stands Neufelsberg Castle, which bears a mysterious local name: Teufelsburg (Devil's Castle). The name goes back to a legend: According to this legend, a knight from the castle made a pact with the devil before a duel and sold his soul. His screams can supposedly still be heard today.
The Teufelsburg Castle stands at a height of 320 meters and dates back to 1370.
Source: imago/Becker&Bredel
The castle was probably built between 1354 and 1390 on a mountain at an altitude of 320 meters. Those who hike up today probably won't hear any screams, but they will experience a magnificent view: From the top of the castle, there is a magnificent view over the Saar Valley.
The Litermont Tour near Nalbach is one of the most popular hiking routes in Saarland. Along the way, you pass the Devil's Gorge, which is shrouded in mystery. A castle is said to have once stood on the 414-meter-high mountain, where Maldix of Litermont lived with his mother, Margarete. The knight was supposedly a wild and daredevil.
The mysterious Devil’s Gorge lies on the Litermont mountain in Saarland.
Source: IMAGO/Panthermedia
According to legend, one day he chased a large stag through the forest and up to Litermont, intending to kill it. But Maldix fell from his horse into the depths of a ravine—the Devil's Gorge, as it is now called. It is said that he still wreaks havoc on Litermont today: In the nightly storm winds, his unredeemed spirit is said to roar through the valley and the forest.
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