Burg Hohenzollern in Hechingen

[Claudio]

Dear forumites,

I just wanted to show a couple of pictures of my visit of the "Burg Hohenzollern" in Hechingen (see also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hohenzollern_Castle and their official website http://www.burg-hohenzollern.com/startpage.html ).

It is highly recommendable for all military and history enthusiasts and students.

Enjoy the pictures...

ciao,

Claudio

Edited October 12, 2013 by Claudio

[Claudio]

Now comes the interesting part, at least for me... the Schatzkammer (or also the Treasure Hall or Crown all):

First of all, lots of highlights for Prussia's fans: the crown of Prussia (1.5 kg of Gold), the tobacco boxes, the original uniform and hat of "der alte Fritz" (Federick II, King of Prussia aka Frederick the Great) with the tobacco box which saved the king's live in the battle of Kunesdorf (although this fact it is quite debated by historians) ... Unfortunately I couldn't take many pictures, because it was forbidden, but I could manage to take some pictures of the amazing order collection, most of them were the original orders and medals of the first Emperor of the 2nd Reich, Wilhelm I "der Grosse".

The bad thing about the guided tour is that, when you arrive at the end of the tour in the treasure hall, you are allowed to stay there just 5-10 minutes time.

Edited October 12, 2013 by Claudio

[IrishGunner]

How did I not know this existed?! I've been to Stuttgart so many times, I could have been here several times... Thanks for the post.

[P.F.]

Most impressive Claudio....especially those medal orders!! Thank you for this post!

Kind regards

Pierce

[Claudio]

Last but not least (therefore I posted this thread in this forum), a detailed picture of the original medal bar of Wilhelm I, most of his decorations are in "Prinzengrösse"... Amazing!

[jaba1914]

unbelievable display. The bar is amazing and imho more significant than the bar of his son.

Regards

Alex

[VtwinVince]

Ach du Lieber, I've heard of this collection, but hadn't seen pics. That mini-spange is incredible, and that PLM from 1866.....

[Claudio]

Hi Vince, it isn't a miniature bar, but a full sized bar, but with some half sized decorations, like the crosses... you can compare the EK2 1813 and the next medal, which is a KDM (1813) for the Befreiungskriege (war of liberation).

C

[VtwinVince]

Thanks for clarifying, Claudio. I have a picture of Wilhelm wearing this Schnalle, and that makes sense.

[Paul C]

Claudio, Thanks for posting. I was there several years ago and it is very impressive.

[sambolini]

Hi,

Thanks for posting. Hard to believe so much survived WWII. It's great to see Kaiser Wilhelm I distinctive medal bar that we see in all his photos. It's wonderful that it survives. Many thanks for taking the time to post.

Kind regards,

Sam K.

[Chris Boonzaier]

The bad thing about the guided tour is that, when you arrive at the end of the tour in the treasure hall, you are allowed to stay there just 5-10 minutes time.

Well, you just need to do the tour 4-5 times... :-)

[Claudio]

Well, you just need to do the tour 4-5 times... :-)

Yep, I thought about it Chris... but then I will have to pay the ticket 4-5 times!

[Daniel Cole]

Hechingen is great. Its off the beaten tourist path. Another great collections of medals and orders is in Hohenschwangau next to Neuschwanstein.

[Claudius]

These are some amazing photos Claudio. Thank you for sharing them. There is so much to comment on, but I'll limit myself. In your first set, the photo of the castle is wonderful. What a view. It looks like it was a nice day.

You can only stay 5-10 minutes...that’s scandalous.

Everyone has commented on the medal bar and I scarcely have anything to add. It is really neat to see it this up close. What an amazing bar.

I was gawking at the PLMs and how they are displayed. They have them hanging from pins like Gymnasium Track and Field medals.

Your trip here looks like a great way to spend a day.

[IrishGunner]

I was gawking at the PLMs and how they are displayed. They have them hanging from pins like Gymnasium Track and Field medals.

I was thinking the same thing...

[Claudio]

Thanks for all your comments and nice words.

Not to speak of all German and Foreign orders Wilhelm I had (almost only Grand Crosses, 1st class awards with sash and grand Cross) on display there... amazing. Plus lots of Iron Crosses of 1813 and 1870... and if I remember correctly also the PlM breast star... well... you got the picture... ;-)

There are so many cool fortresses (Burg) and castles (Schloss) in Germany. Next thread I will show another castle I almost found by coincidence browsing on internet... The castle of the counts of Württemberg... but that it will be another thread... :-)

ciao,

C

[Carol I]

Now comes the interesting part, at least for me... the Schatzkammer (or also the Treasure Hall or Crown all):

First of all, lots of highlights for Prussia's fans: the crown of Prussia (1.5 kg of Gold), the tobacco boxes, the original uniform and hat of "der alte Fritz" (Federick II, King of Prussia aka Frederick the Great) with the tobacco box which saved the king's live in the battle of Kunesdorf (although this fact it is quite debated by historians) ... Unfortunately I couldn't take many pictures, because it was forbidden, but I could manage to take some pictures of the amazing order collection, most of them were the original orders and medals of the first Emperor of the 2nd Reich, Wilhelm I "der Grosse".

The bad thing about the guided tour is that, when you arrive at the end of the tour in the treasure hall, you are allowed to stay there just 5-10 minutes time.

Thanks Claudio for the images. Do you know what collar was that to the right in the image above? Do you have a photo? Thanks in advance.

[Claudio]

Sorry Carol (your name? I think not), but pictures weren't allowed to be taken... that's why I managed just to shot a few photos before being obliged to stop by one of the museum's guides...

C

[Carol I]

Sorry Carol (your name? I think not), but pictures weren't allowed to be taken... that's why I managed just to shot a few photos before being obliged to stop by one of the museum's guides...

C

Thanks for the very quick reply. The question about the photo was a long shot, but I was hoping that you remember what it was, even though given the 5 minutes you had in the room this also seems like a shot in the dark.

[utopis]

Collar to the House Order of Hohenzollern.

[Carol I]

Collar to the House Order of Hohenzollern.

Thanks a lot.

[utopis]

I just saw that the next Thies action will have a collar for sale, if you want one

[Carol I]

I just saw that the next Thies action will have a collar for sale, if you want one

I have to break my piggy bank, but since I am very fond of it, I'll wait for the next one.

[saschaw]

On 12/10/2013 at 18:15, Claudio said:

The bad thing about the guided tour is that, when you arrive at the end of the tour in the treasure hall, you are allowed to stay there just 5-10 minutes time.

After a ten year hiatus I've been to the Zollern yesterday, and it was as great as you can imagine! The exhibition saw some changes since Claudio shot this pictures in 2013, and I really couldn't dare to do some new ones, but there is some good news:

 

Due to the current Covid19 situation, there are no group tours now. Instead, you are free to move around at your own pace in what they call "Royal Castle Stroll" or "Königliches Flanieren" in German! For an average visitor, this might be some drawback, but I couldn't be happier to have enough time for a close look at the displayed orders and decorations of Wilhelm I, Wilhelm II and Auguste Victoria. And again, and again... my friends, who are not really into awards were pretty patient as well, luckily.

 

 

One sad thing however: Some of the attributions cannot be correct, like a Prussian Royal Crown Order 2nd class cross attributed to Kaiser Wilhelm II, or the same with diamonds to his wife Kaiserin Auguste Victoria?! Also, some descriptions had major flaws, with several awards allegedly being made from cast iron instead of the stamped bronze or zinc they actually are. Well, awards are definitely not their main competence... still absolutely worth every visit, if you have a chance!