Burg Hornberg

Burg Hornberg Review

The massive, circular bulk of Burg Hornberg rises above the woods that drop to the riverbank and the town of Neckarzimmern. The road to the castle leads through vineyards that have been providing dry white wines for centuries. Today the castle is part hotel and part museum. In the 16th century it was home to the larger-than-life Götz von Berlichingen (1480-1562). When the knight lost his right arm fighting in a petty squabble, he had a blacksmith fashion an iron replacement. The original designs for this fearsome artificial limb are on view in the castle, as is his suit of armor. For most Germans, the rambunctious knight is best remembered for a remark that was faithfully reproduced in Goethe's play Götz von Berlichingen. Responding to an official reprimand, von Berlichingen told his critic, more or less, to "kiss my ass" (the original German is substantially more earthy). To this day the polite version of this insult is known as a Götz von Berlichingen. Inquire at the hotel reception about visiting the castle.