The World Heritage Centre is at the forefront of the international community’s efforts to protect and preserve World Heritage partnerships for conservation Ensuring that World Heritage sites sustain their outstanding universal value is an increasingly challenging mission in today’s complex world where sites are vulnerable to the effects of uncontrolled urban development Our Partners Donate Take advantage of the search to browse through the World Heritage Centre information Augustusburg Castle (the sumptuous residence of the prince-archbishops of Cologne) and the Falkenlust hunting lodge (a small rural folly) are among the earliest examples of Rococo architecture in 18th-century Germany Dans le cadre idéal d'un paysage de jardins somptueuse résidence des princes-archevêques de Cologne sont parmi les premières manifestations du style rococo dans l'Allemagne du XVIIIe siècle يقع قصر أغسطسبرغ في إطار مثالي من الجمال ضمن مجموعة حدائق وهو مقر فخم لأمراء – أساقفة كولونيا ويُضاف إليه جناح فولكنلاست، وهو "شهوة" زراعية صغيرة شيّدت في الحقول، ليشكّل المبنيان أوائل براعم نمط الروكوكو في المانيا في القرن الثامن عشر 奥古斯塔斯堡周围风景优美,颇具田园风情,这里曾是科洛涅(Cologne)大主教奢华的住所,而法尔肯拉斯特古堡(the Falkenlust hunting lodge)则是一处狩猎场(小规模乡下活动)。这两个建筑都是18世纪德国洛可可风格最早的杰作。 роскошная резиденция кëльнских князей-архиепископов и охотничий замок Фалькенлуст расположены в идиллическом садовом ландшафте Эти здания относятся к самым ранним образцам архитектуры рококо в Германии XVIII в El palacio de Augustusburgo fue la suntuosa residencia de los arzobispos-príncipes de Colonia En medio de los espléndidos jardines que lo rodean se halla el pabellón de Falkenlust Ambas construcciones figuran entre las primeras obras arquitectónicas del arte rococó en la Alemania del siglo XVIII the sumptuous residence of the prince-archbishops of Cologne are among the earliest and best examples of 18-century Rococo architecture in Germany and directly linked to the great European architecture and art of unprecedented richness of the time planned and constructed this large residence at Brühl on the foundations of a medieval castle It consists of three wings built of brick with rough-cast rendering and has two adjoining orangeries one on the south side which includes an oratory while the other to the north houses various service buildings a bold and successful revamping of the lack-lustre construction of Schlaun and the hunting lodge of Falkenlust are one of the best examples of the Rococo style this international art of unprecedented richness the staircase of Balthasar Neumann – considered a work of creative genius – is a rapturous structure which unites a lively movement of marble and stucco and culminates in the astonishing frescoed ceiling of Carlo Carlone and the private apartments are organised in a hierarchy of effects of outstanding conception while the décor “bon enfant” of the new grand summer apartments with its faience tiles from the Low Countries The Castle of Falkenlust stands in its own small park It was built by François de Cuvilliés between 1729 and 1737 for Prince-Elector of Cologne to practise his favourite sport of falconry The main building has two floors and is built in the style of a country house in brick with a rough-cast rendering It is flanked by two rectangular single-storey buildings which originally housed the Prince Elector´s falcons and are now mainly used for exhibitions Falkenlust is a country house with symmetrical avant-corps an oval salon is conceived in the same language of improvisation and liberty François de Cuvilliés was known for in his work its walls faced with shells and concretions The large gardens of Augustusburg and Falkenlust pupil of Le Nôtre) proved more aware of landscape decor multiplying monumental ramps and symmetrical flowerbeds is a two-part embroidery-like parterre that includes four fountains and the Mirror Pool fed by a small cascade running from a circular basin with an impressive fountain Alleys lined with lime-trees flank the embroidery parterre and lead to triangular boscages The adjoining semi-circular park is enclosed by a ditch and a wall The main alley is crossed diagonally by a second pathway and leads south-east through the field to the Castle of Falkenlust nonetheless endeavours to create the randomness of a natural site Criterion (ii): Augustusburg and Falkenlust represent the first important creations of Rococo style in Germany they were a model in the majority of the princely courts Criterion (iv): The castles and gardens of Augustusburg and Falkenlust are the eminent example of the large princely residence of the 18th century The whole site comprising the Castle of Augustusburg contains all the elements necessary to express the Outstanding Universal Value The original overall design of the Castles has been maintained to an exceptional extent It has preserved its character as a Rococo electoral residence and has been spared any subsequent transformations due to continued use and function as a residence and museum The gardens of Augustusburg Castle are among the few in Europe to have been restored to their original plan They can be said to be the most authentic example of formal gardens in the French style outside of France The laws and regulations of the Federal Republic of Germany and the State of North Rhine-Westphalia guarantee the consistent protection of the Castles of Augustusburg and Falkenlust They are listed monuments according to § 2 and § 3 of the Act on the Protection and Conservation of Monuments in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia Building activities within and outside the property are regulated by § 9 (2) Protection Law Local Building Plans and regional Land Use Plans the property is protected by the Federal Nature Conservation Act The castles are opened to the public as museums and the sustainable use of the World Heritage site Construction and conservation issues are organized and managed in close co-operation with the Office for the Conservation of Monuments of the Rhineland Regional Council (LVR – Amt für Denkmalpflege) The management system consists of a set of maintenance and conservation measures which is checked yearly and updated when required by a Steering Committee; members are representatives of the State This light and shadow show takes viewers through the 1,000-year history of Bamberg in 90 minutes The show is held at a small chapel in one of the oldest rooms in the city so you can feel fully immersed as you travel back in time via shadow theater to learn the history of what makes Bamberg a UNESCO World Heritage city The Salzburg Christmas market is set in the middle Old Town Salzburg It is deemed one of the most beautiful and oldest Christmas markets in the world This market is steeped in tradition and focused on stalls that sell many handicrafts and toys made in a traditional fashion Regional delicacies are also available such as Kaiserschmarrn a type of shredded pancake and enormous pretzels smothered in Swiss cheese Promenade in your regency era costumes and participate in costumed balls theatrical performances and much more to celebrate one of the world’s most renowned female authors 2025 will mark the 250th year since Jane Austen came into the world The annual festival will be hosting special events throughout the year to celebrate including a Yuletide Jane Austen Birthday Ball in the Bath pump rooms in December This festival takes place just on the flanks of UNESCO World Heritage Site Pistachios have been a long-lasting culinary staple in Sicily This annual celebration of the “green gold of Sicily” has tasting sessions You can taste and buy many pistachio-based products such as pesto As an accompaniment to the Paris 2024 Olympic games being hosted on the Versailles estate the palace will display an exhibit dedicated to horses and equestrian civilization in Europe It is the first exhibit of this theme to be presented on this large of a scale It will lead viewers on a tour through the palace including areas such as the War and Peace Rooms Don’t Miss a Single Sparkling Moment! Sign up for The Court Jeweller Newsletter The Court Jeweller Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World 01.15.2023 by // Leave a Comment Numerous sparkling suites of diamond jewelry were added to the British royal vaults during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II including this demi-parure set with petite pear-shaped diamonds In March 1987, King Fahd of Saudi Arabia made a four-day state visit to the United Kingdom. On the third day of the visit, King Fahd gave a dinner for the British royals at Claridge’s in London. At that dinner, the Queen wore Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik with a new set of jewelry: a necklace and earrings set with pear-shaped diamonds The Queen wore the necklace and earrings on occasion in the following years. She paired the jewels with Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik and Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Brooch for a dinner during her state visit to Germany in 1992 She also wore the necklace and earrings for the Royal Variety Performance in November 2005 More recently, parts of the suite have been worn by other members of the royal family. The Countess of Wessex wore the necklace and earrings with her recently-renovated wedding tiara for the American state banquet at Buckingham Palace in June 2019 Categories // united kingdom Enter your name and email address below to subscribe to our weekly newsletter Sign up for my new subscriber-supported community, Hidden Gems, delivered directly to you each Saturday! Copyright © 2025 THE COURT JEWELLER LLC your new go-to podcast to spice up your weekday mornings with relevant news and behind-the-scenes from Brussels and beyond From the economy to the climate and the EU's role in world affairs this talk show sheds light on European affairs and the issues that impact on our daily lives as Europeans Tune in to understand the ins and outs of European politics Dare to imagine the future with business and tech visionaries Deep dive conversations with business leaders Euronews Tech Talks goes beyond discussions to explore the impact of new technologies on our lives the podcast provides valuable insights into the intersection of technology and society Europe's water is under increasing pressure floods are taking their toll on our drinking water Join us on a journey around Europe to see why protecting ecosystems matters and to discover some of the best water solutions an animated explainer series and live debate - find out why Water Matters We give you the latest climate facts from the world’s leading source analyse the trends and explain how our planet is changing We meet the experts on the front line of climate change who explore new strategies to mitigate and adapt adept at finding themes to tie together protests nationwide took to the streets holding painted eggs in a nod to the Easter holiday on Sunday one group marched through the Insein district chanting and singing protest songs and cradling eggs bearing the slogan “Spring Revolution.” Many of the eggs also bore a drawing of the three-fingered salute demonstrators gathered on motorbikes to shout protests against the power grab that overthrew the democratically elected government Myanmar’s military has violently cracked down on protesters and others in opposition with the latest civilian death toll since the coup at 557 according to the independent Assistance Association for Political Prisoners More than 2,750 people have been detained or sentenced security forces opened fire on a crowd of protesters in Pyinmana in central Myanmar local news outlet Khit Thit Media reported prayed for the “young people of Myanmar committed to supporting democracy and making their voices heard peacefully in the knowledge that hatred can be dispelled only by love.” Sunday’s so-called “Easter Egg Strike” follows other themed days They included a “Flower Strike,” in which protesters laid flowers in public places to honour those killed by security forces and a “Silent Strike,” in which people across the country left the streets deserted the Myanmar special envoy to the UN who goes by one name posted an image of painted eggs on Twitter and wrote that Myanmar's people have a “great future in federal democracy,” reflecting hopes for the military to step down and reinstate a democratic system Security forces have continued to spread fear among ordinary citizens a resident of Yangon recorded video of a group of soldiers and police using sling shots to fire stones at the windows of homes soldiers and police keep up their intimidation at night with raids on neighbourhoods police opened fire killing several protesters in Monywa in central Myanmar and elsewhere With most of the internet access cut or severely restricted by the junta it is becoming increasingly difficult for people in Myanmar to get images of their plight to the outside world the military on Friday shut all links apart from those using fiberoptic cable which was working at drastically reduced speeds Access to mobile networks and all wireless — the less costly options used by most people in the developing country — remained blocked on Sunday German police said Tuesday they were investigating after a man dressed as Adolf Hitler rode around a weekend festival in a motorbike sidecar although he provoked more amusement than outrage -- including from a local policeman an investigation is always necessary," a spokesman for Saxony police had explained to news agency DPA on Monday The fake Fuehrer appeared at a classic motorcycle gathering in Augustusburg and was seen in videos of the event posted online He sported a toothbrush moustache and was seated in the sidecar of a bike driven by a man dressed as a 1940s-era soldier In the video people are heard laughing as the pair pass by and a policeman guarding the event pulls out his phone with a smile to take photos (function(v,d,o,ai){ai=d.createElement("script");ai.defer=true;ai.async=true;ai.src=v.location.protocol+o;d.head.appendChild(ai);})(window The officer could now face consequences for his failure to step in "We would have expected our colleague to put a stop to all this without the least hesitation," the Saxony police spokesman said Saxony premier Michael Kretschmer also condemned the Hitler pantomime "Dressing up as a mass murderer is more than just bad taste," he tweeted "This kind of behaviour is unacceptable and shouldn't be repeated." The officer seen laughing at the impersonator was summoned for a meeting with his superiors and has "acknowledged his misconduct" a spokesman for the local Chemnitz police told AFP on Tuesday He could still face disciplinary action depending on the outcome of the prosecutor's investigation into the incident The prosecutors are considering whether the Hitler stunt constitutes a possible public order violation Around 1,800 motorcyclists and 7,500 visitors took part in the weekend classic bike festival in Saxony a region in former communist East Germany that has made headlines for far-right and neo-Nazi activities in recent years In addition to the Romantic Road along the Rhine Germany has more than 5,000 castles open to visitors surrounded by beautiful parks German castles and parks offer pleasant walks or picnics in the shade of centuries-old trees silent witnesses of the history that was written over the centuries in castles From 2004 we research urban trends and inform our community of followers about the latest in lifestyle From year 2023 we offer content in major global languages From 2004 we research urban trends and inform our community of followers daily about the latest in lifestyle style and products that inspire with passion we offer content in major global languages Drachenburg Castle in the Siebengebirge nearby Königswinter palaces and old fortresses are fascinating for many people The impressive dwellings are a reminder of another era Around Bonn there are numerous castles and palaces that carry much history and are certainly worth a day trip Imposingly perched on the Drachenfels in Königswinter is the Drachenburg Castle built in neo-early Gothic and neo-Renaissance style the castle was completed in record time and served as a prestigious residence for the stockbroker financial expert and later Baron Stephan von Sarter where the bachelor died in 1902 without having settled his estate cultivated all kinds of crops and revitalized the building as a kind of castle for society gatherings Biesenbach sold the estate to the retired cavalry captain Egbert von Simon His plans exceeded the moderate tourist ambitions of his predecessor Schloss Drachenburg was to attract masses of visitors as a leisure park but the owner lacked the money for the project the Order of Christian School Brothers settled in the castle and opened a boarding school there Drachenburg housed an elite National Socialist school the castle was heavily damaged and eventually occupied by American troops a training center moved into the building and then it stood empty for ten years A planned demolition was prevented in 1963 but it was not until 1971 that a private citizen acquired the property The textile merchant Paul Spinat had the building repaired and refurnished Schloss Drachenburg was placed under a preservation order the North Rhine-Westphalia Foundation for Nature Conservation Heritage and Cultural Preservation initiated the urgently needed steps toward a comprehensive restoration a permanent exhibition on the castle's history and the north tower the top of the Godesburg is located in Bad Godesberg The foundation stone for the so-called Höhenburg was laid in 1210 wanted to build it on the Rhine as proof of his power - because with his election as bishop Dietrich I entered into struggles for power in imperial politics the families of the Hohenstaufen and the Saxon Guelphs were wrestling for power The opponents Philip of Swabia and Otto of Brunswick were not afraid of anything The people of Cologne sided with the Guelphs When Otto was expelled from the communion of the church in 1210 But instead of ending his allegiance to Otto IV he arranged for the construction of Godesburg Castle Whether he wanted to protect the southern tip of his territory and the roads to Cologne and Bonn from afar or to create a place of refuge for himself was unknown at the time Michael's Chapel on the Godesburg has its origins somewhat later In the 17th century it was built from the stones of a predecessor building which was presumably erected during the first expansion of the castle from 1244 under Dietrich's famous successor Konrad von Hochstaden Konrad probably did not like the idea of owning a castle without divine assistance Kaiser Wilhelm II donated Godesburg Castle which had been heavily fought over until then and badly destroyed Today the castle is the landmark of Bad Godesberg the view of the Siebengebirge and towards Bonn is breathtaking Inside the castle there is a restaurant today Visitors can access the lower viewing platforms free of charge but those who want to go to the top of the tower have to pay an entrance fee Brühl is home to the impressive Augustusburg and Falkenlust palaces They are among the most important baroque and rococo buildings in Germany and were designated a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1984 Augustusburg Palace was one of the favorite residences of the then Cologne Elector and Archbishop Clemens August the Westphalian master builder Johann Conrad Schlaun first began construction of the castle in 1725 on the ruins of a medieval moated castle Augustusburg Palace was given its final design by François de Cuvilliés renowned artists of European renown worked here - for example who created the design for the grand staircase Just a short walk from Augustusburg Palace in Brühl one of the favorite hunting lodges of Cologne's Elector and Archbishop The choice of the building site for this hunting lodge was determined by the flight path of the herons courtly society gathered in the sumptuously furnished interiors of Falkenlust Palace the lavish cabinets stand out - a young Mozart having admired them as early as 1763 Augustusburg Palace was used for many decades as a palace of the Federal President and the Federal Government A visit to Augustusburg Palace is only possible with a guided tour which is offered continuously during opening hours Falkenlust Palace can be visited without a guided tour Groups of 10 or more are requested to make a reservation The Electoral Palace in Bonn was also the residence of the Cologne Elector was familiar with the palaces of the French "Sun King" and with the help of French architects and craftsmen He died before he could realize his building plans and so Clemens August completed his project but all at the expense of the citizens and peasants The foundation stone was laid in 1697 for the "Residenz" but the two side wings were not built until 1715 This annex housed the private apartments of the Elector and offered an unobstructed view of the Kaiserplatz which was actually used as a leisure or summer palace today houses the Zoological Institute of Bonn University To make it easier to travel from the "Residenz" to the Poppelsdorf Palace in absolutist times an avenue was built between the two palaces the reconstruction was not started immediately Only the court garden wing was restored in a simplified form The use of the palace as an electoral residence ended in 1794 with the invasion of the French Revolutionary troops Since the former residence is now the main building of the University of Bonn it can be freely visited when the university is open.The Poppelsdorf Palace houses the Mineralogical Museum and various facilities of the University of Bonn It is also worth a visit to the botanical garden directly at the castle the counts Heinrich and Eberhard von Sayn gained influence on the middle Sieg Around 1150 they built Blankenberg Castle on a hill in the Siegtal 80 meters above the river - within sight of the abbey in Siegburg A settlement developed in the neighborhood The fortification high above the Sieg River enabled the Counts of Sayn to control the approaches to the Siegtal and the Bergisches Land as well as to the Westerwald The castle is one of the largest regional castles in this part of the Rhineland the castle complex was almost completely destroyed the gatehouse and sparse remains of a double chapel have been preserved On the south side stands a mighty bastion tower from the 15th century Today the outer castle is privately owned and cannot be visited From here you have a sweeping view of the Siegtal and the Ahrenbachtal In the middle of Troisdorf is the historical site of Wissem Castle The history of the court complex dates back to the Merovingian period (500-700 A.D.) The first written record dates back to 1474 The courtyard was surrounded by moats and served as a fortification and ancestral seat of the Lords of Troisdorf Components from three epochs make up the building complex Wissem is an elongated rectangular complex The manor house was built after 1840 and was renovated and restored in 1954/1955 The east side is occupied by a long quarry stone wing dating back to around 1550 The 18th century brick wings on the north and west sides Public funding made it possible to rebuild and reconstruct the west wing between 2010 and 2012 The complex is surrounded by the extensive castle park which merges directly into the Wahner Heide the castle's manor houses the city's Picture Book Museum the Museum of Urban and Industrial History Troisdorf and a restaurant have moved into the courtyard complex Adendorf Castle in Wachtberg is a moated castle It is one of the best preserved moated castles in the Rhein-Sieg district The history of the complex dates back to the 14th century only the foundation walls and the four corner towers remain Adendorf Castle also includes a  castle park Groups of ten or more people can be guided through Adendorf Castle with advance arrangements The Auel Castle in Lohmar dates back to 1391 The current main house was not built until 1763 The building is owned by the La Valette-St Several famous personalities have visited the castle Also guests there were Tsar Alexander I of Russia and Kaiser Wilhelm II There are three different types of accommodation in the Auel Hotel luxuriously furnished rooms take you back to days gone by The Golf Lodge has a minimalist design made of wood and slate which even won the NRW Architecture Award in 2018 And the Forest Lodge is an idyllic resort above the Aueler ponds In the middle of the water stands Heimerzheim Castle which was first documented in the 13th century but it has been expanded over the centuries The castle has been in family ownership since 1825 The von Boeselager family rents out the castle's rooms for private parties The romantic and idyllic location in the middle of nature and at the same time close to the city makes it ideal for this purpose It takes only 30 minutes to drive from the castle to Bonn city center The castle not only offers overnight accommodations but is also located in the direct vicinity of hiking trails of the Eifel National Park and the Römerhof golf course The Ramersdorfer Kommende was established between 1200 and 1300 as one of the more than 300 commanderies of the Teutonic Knights It was first documented in1254 and was rebuilt after a fire in 1842 - in the neo-Gothic style a citizens' initiative fought to preserve the castle It was to be demolished in the course of the construction of the A59 and A562 but was saved the castle underwent extensive renovations This list of castles does not claim to be complete or follow objective criteria. It is also not a ranking. The order is arbitrary.  Please note that due to the Corona pandemic, changes or closures can occur at any time and at short notice. Is a castle or palace missing in the listing? Send us an email to online@ga.de. (Orig. text: ga / Translation: Carol Kloeppel) The 18th century Augustusburg and Falkenlust Palaces served as residence and hunting château respectively for the then prince-elector of Cologne The palatial rooms wow with marble pillars the parks and gardens with boxtree ornaments | Azyumardi Suntana / Unsplash the picturesque town is often snowed in and decorated with fairy lights Monschau is perfect for a day trip and to snap some shots of one of Germany’s cutest villages The Drachenburg Castle in Königswinter was built as a private villa in the late 19th century and is architecturally composed of early Gothic and Renaissance elements the castle was used first as a Catholic school then as a Nazi elite school from 1942 forward and was heavily damaged during the bombardments of World War II the building stood empty and started to decay In the 1970s an investor saved the Drachenburg which is now a landmarked building and one of the region’s major tourist attractions learn about the area’s 2,000-year-long winemaking tradition dating back to the Roman Empire and stop for wine tasting and tours of an estate and the wine cellar Some 30 kilometres south of Cologne lies the often overlooked city of Bonn–but the charming city actually has quite a lot to offer Built on the foundations of a Roman settlement Bonn served as the interim capital of West Germany during the Cold War between 1949 and 1990 It’s the home of Beethoven and gummy bears has one of the country’s most prestigious universities entire boroughs lined with Gründerzeit villas and in spring there’s a festival that celebrates the blossoming of the many cherry trees Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $800 on our unique trips See privacy policy Reconstruction at the Neander Valley Museum | Courtesy of the Neanderthal Museum View Dusseldorf Tours gorging on local delicacies like fine chocolate washed down with a mightily strong glass of Belgian beer View Brussels Tours See & Do The Best Weekend Trips From Heidelberg Design The Most Beautiful Churches in Berlin Art 10 Masterpieces You Can Only See in Munich See & Do Germany's Most Beautiful Abbeys and Monasteries See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in July See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Autumn Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in December Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in November See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in October See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Summer See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in September See & Do A Guide to River Cruises in Germany: What to Know US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000 tripssupport@theculturetrip.com © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd