Photos courtesy of Burghotel Götzenburg
The namesake of the castle was Götz von Berlichingen, who was born here in 1480. A famous knight in German history, Götz was romanticized as a kind of Robin Hood, who stole from the rich to give to the poor when he wasn’t busy fighting in military campaigns against the Turks and French. He was also known as Götz of the Iron Hand, a nickname which comes from the prosthetic that replaced the real one he lost at the siege of Landshut. Banished from the empire on a couple of occasions, he returned to lead a faction in the Peasants’ War. Götz died at age 82 at nearby Hornberg Castle (also a castle hotel). Goethe immortalized him in one of his dramas.
Pamela’s Perspective
Götzenburg castle has a very down-to-earth, rustic feel. It’s also one of the few castle hotels that is affordable because it offers rooms with bath and toilet down the hall. Ask if any of these rooms are available.
Burghotel Götzenburg
A 15th-century castle
Contact
D-74249 Jagsthausen
Tel: ++49 (0) 7943 94360
Fax: ++49 (0) 7943 9436-200
Hotel website
Reserve with Booking.com
Fast facts
28 rooms
Single rooms: 55–97 euros
Double rooms: 125–154 euros
Suites: 145–184 euros
Rates include breakfast, tax,
and service
Open: March through October
Getting there
Jagsthausen is northeast of Heilbronn. From the A-81 autobahn, exit at Möckmühl and follow the signposts
What to do
On site: bowling; beauty farm Nearby: tennis; fishing
Weddings
Yes. Inquire hotel for details.
Along the Romantic Road, the Hohenlohe Plain is an area of sleepy postcard villages and German Renaissance castles such as Burg Götzenburg.
There’s lots of medieval touches around the castle such as weaponry on the wall and suits of armor. Here and there you’ll find a massive piece of antique furniture, even in the guest rooms.
Dinner is heavy on the meat, which comes in generous portions.
Something special
Summer drama and art festival held in the castle courtyard
Small museum on the property