Sleeping Beauty Castle Sababurg — Attraction in Hofgeismar

Compare to similar locations (other Castle-Hotels) this is by far the worst we have visited. Room prices are way over what the hotel has to offer and the service is mediocre at best.

The location of the Castle is its best feature. The exterior of the Castle is beautiful even if the renovation was not done in respect of the original materials. The Castle grounds and the surrounding woods and are quite charming, so hiking around is a enjoyable activity.

The inside of the Castle is a different story. The renovation took away any feeling of the original place, leaving nothing but a regular looking building with some old looking but not original furniture.

We stay in one of the Castle Bower rooms (at 175 euros per night) and the experience was very disappointing. The room we had was very tired, the furniture was old, carpet and walls were stained, one window was cracked, the door to the balcony didn't work properly. The balcony was the best the room had to offer, however the outside furniture was all cheap plastic and quite dirty. The bathroom was old, dark and not very clean. The staff was not very helpful or even very polite.

The ambiance of the restaurant is nice and romantic, staff here is nicer than in rest of the hotel. However, the food is very average and on the expensive side (80 euros for a dinner for two).

For what we pay, and other reviews we read, we expected much more of what we got.

We recommend to visit the exterior of the Castle (there is a "Fairy Trail" you can take for a modest fee) or to have a coffee on the terrace cafe, but not to stay...

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동화와 전통이 만나는 순간: 자바부르크 성에서의 문화적 교차점

2016년의 늦여름, 그림 형제의 '잠자는 숲속의 공주'의 배경이 된 자바부르크 성에서의 하룻밤은 단순한 숙박 경험을 넘어 문화적 교차의 특별한 순간이었습니다. 구비문학을 전공하며 1년간 그림형제 설화집 세미나를 함께 했던 저희 부부에게, 이 12세기의 성은 오랫동안 가보고 싶었던 학술적 순례지와도 같았습니다.

특히 의미깊었던 것은 이 성이 그림형제 동화집 초판본의 '잠자는 숲속의 공주' 삽화의 모델이 되었다는 점입니다. Ein Horn(유니콘) 객실에서 바라본 성의 전경은 마치 동화 속 한 페이지를 걸어 들어온 듯했습니다.

그날의 특별했던 순간 중 하나는 한국의 전통의상인 한복을 입고 찍은 사진입니다. 당시 성내 레스토랑에서 한복을 입은 채 식사를 하고 있을 때, 현지에 거주하시는 독일인 노부부께서 다가오셨습니다. 그분들은 한복의 우아한 선과 색감에 매료되어 "너무 아름답다(sehr schön)"라며 칭찬해 주셨고, 이는 동서양의 전통이 자연스럽게 어우러지는 뜻깊은 문화적 교류의 순간이 되었습니다.

7년이라는 시간이 흐른 후에야 이 리뷰를 남기게 되어 죄송한 마음이지만, 오히려 이 시간은 그날의 경험을 더욱 깊이 있게 되새겨볼 수 있는 여유를 주었습니다. 중세 유럽의 성과 한국의 전통의상이 만나는 독특한 문화적 조우, 그리고 그것을 따뜻하게 받아들여준 현지인들의 환대는 지금도 선명한 기억으로 남아있습니다.

이곳은 단순한 관광지가 아닌, 문화와 전통이 살아 숨쉬는 살아있는 역사의 현장입니다. 동화 속 성의 실제 모델을 경험하고 싶으신 분들, 특히 문화적 교류에 관심이 있는 여행자들에게 이곳을 강력히 추천드립니다.

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A Cultural Intersection at Sababurg: Where Eastern Elegance Meets Grimm's Fairy Tales

In the late summer of 2016, I experienced an extraordinary convergence of literary heritage and cultural exchange at Sababurg Castle, the historical inspiration for the Brothers Grimm's "Sleeping Beauty." As folklore scholars who had spent a year conducting seminars on Grimm's collected tales, my spouse and I approached this 12th-century fortress not merely as tourists, but as academic pilgrims drawn to the very landscape that shaped one of Europe's most enduring narratives.

The castle, which served as the architectural model for the first edition's illustrations of "Sleeping Beauty," exceeded our scholarly expectations. Our Ein Horn (Unicorn) chamber offered a tangible connection to the medieval ambiance that had inspired generations of storytellers. What began as an academic interest transformed into a deeply personal encounter with living history.

Perhaps the most memorable cultural intersection occurred during our dinner at the castle's restaurant. Dressed in hanbok, traditional Korean formal attire, we created an unexpected tableau: Eastern elegance amid medieval European architecture. An elderly German couple, local residents, approached our table, their eyes alight with curiosity. "Sehr schön," they exclaimed, admiring the flowing lines and vibrant colors of the hanbok. This spontaneous moment of cross-cultural appreciation exemplified the universal language of cultural respect and admiration.

I regret not posting this review immediately after our stay seven years ago. However, this temporal distance has allowed for deeper reflection on the significance of that evening. The seamless integration of a Korean traditional costume within a German medieval setting, warmly embraced by local residents, speaks to the possibility of meaningful cultural dialogue across centuries and continents.

The castle staff's hospitality enhanced our experience immeasurably. Their enthusiasm in documenting our stay through photographs and sharing the castle's rich history demonstrated a deep appreciation for both their heritage and their visitors' diverse cultural backgrounds.

The morning view of the dense Hessian forest surrounding the castle remains indelibly etched in my memory. This setting, which inspired the Brothers Grimm, continues to weave new stories of cultural exchange and understanding.

Sababurg Castle transcends its role as a mere tourist destination; it serves as a living repository of cultural heritage where literary history breathes and new cultural narratives emerge. For those seeking more than standard tourist fare—particularly scholars, cultural enthusiasts, or anyone interested in experiencing the tangible roots of fairy tales—this castle offers an unparalleled opportunity for cultural and...

Being in Germany many times, I have always wanted to rediscover the “Grimms’ fairy tales route” with my daughter, now it seems to be a good time as travelling abroad might be difficult.

Sababurg castle and Tierpark Sababurg is our first stop. I love the ruined castles, the dilapidated walls and the beautiful gardens, the wildflowers... Everything is so quiet and beautiful, it feels like that the little Dornröschen (Sleeping Beauty) is still sleeping inside.

My daughter had very little interests in exploring the castle but she loved the animal park nearby. There are so many friendly animals(sheep, deers,goats, penguins, kangaroo, donkeys, horses, cows...) she even touched a very tame donkey for the first time!

There is also a large playground in the park to keep kids excited. In fact I think it is the best animal park I have ever been so far.

One tip: Do bring your pram if your kids are under 5, it is so huge that even an adult would struggle to walk around the whole...