Sleeping Beauty Castle Sababurg

The Sababurg Castle, also known as the Sleeping Beauty Castle, is a popular attraction for guests from near and far. Perched in the Reinhardswald, it overlooks the Sababurg Animal Park. With its magnificent rose garden and towers, the Sababurg is said to have served as the inspiration for the Grimm fairytale "Sleeping Beauty." And even today, you can experience Sleeping Beauty herself on selected days, brought to life right here.

Visitor Information:

Since 2018, the state of Hessen as the owner, has been renovating the Sababurg Castle. Extensive restoration work is still required, including the building and the castle garden, before the castle can be fully reopened. Nevertheless, at selected times, you can encounter Sleeping Beauty and the Prince strolling through the castle grounds. Take a walk along the old walls and enjoy a breathtaking view of the fairytale-like nature. Please inform yourself about the current opening hours before your visit at the website of the city of Hofgeismar.

A Brief History of the Castle:

The Sababurg was originally built in 1334 to protect pilgrims from the nearby pilgrimage site of Gottsbüren. At that time, it also served as a border fortress, as it bordered the Mainz diocese with the diocese of Paderborn, as well as the Landgraviate of Hessen and the Duchy of Brunswick.

After various conflicts, the castle came into the possession of Hessen in 1462. From 1490, Landgrave Wilhelm I converted the structure and expanded the castle into a hunting lodge. Later, it was occupied and heavily damaged by Catholic troops led by Field Marshal Tilly during the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648). After that, the castle fell into disrepair.

At that time, the castle's dilapidated complex was surrounded by a long and high hedge of thorns, which may have served as the inspiration for the Grimm fairytale of Sleeping Beauty. Since then, it has been known colloquially as the "Dornröschenschloss" ("Sleeping Beauty Castle"). Between 1654 and 1730, Landgrave Karl and others made minor extensions to the Sababurg. In 1760, during the Seven Years' War (1756-1763), the castle was occupied by French soldiers and fell into disrepair. Later, it served as a forestry house. In 1824-1826, the west, east, and south wings of the castle were demolished.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the state of Hessen gradually renovated the complex to resemble a "castle hotel." The Sleeping Beauty Castle became a well-known upscale hotel destination for fine dining and events. In April 2018, extensive restoration work began, leading to the closure of the hotel and restaurant operations until the present day.