Can you still visit the Sababurg today?

Access has been limited since 2018 due to renovation work, and usually only an outside view of the ruin is possible.

Why is the Sababurg called Sleeping Beauty Castle?

Its overgrown, abandoned state from the 18th century onward inspired the popular link to the Brothers Grimm fairy tale.

How old is the Sababurg?

Construction began in 1334 as the Zappenburg, before it was converted into a hunting lodge starting in 1490.

Is there a hotel at the Sababurg?

A hotel once occupied the towers of the ruin, but it closed in 2018 and a new building is currently under construction.

Where is the Sababurg in relation to the wildlife park?

The ruin stands directly above the Sababurg Wildlife Park, both located within the Reinhardswald forest.

Sababurg

Hofgeismar

Access

No visits on recordNo opening hours or ticketing found

Where: Hofgeismar

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

Sleep nearby

Sababurg stands in Hofgeismar (Landkreis Kassel), in Hesse, Germany. Recorded dating: 14th century. No visits are on record for this building.

The Sababurg rises on a basalt hilltop in the Reinhardswald forest of northern Hesse, right by the wildlife park that bears its name. Built from the 14th century to protect pilgrims travelling to Gottsbüren, it was turned into a hunting lodge for the Landgraves of Hesse from the end of the 15th century. Left to decay after the 18th century, its overgrown, romantic ruins gave rise to the story that the Brothers Grimm drew on it for Sleeping Beauty, hence its popular nickname of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Sections of the curtain wall, two corner towers and the outer walls of the palas still stand amid ongoing restoration works.

Written from Sababurg

This place also features in The Sleeping Beauty castles · The castles of the Brothers Grimm

What to know

Since 2018 the castle has been undergoing extensive renovation, which severely limits visitor access.
During this construction phase, generally only the outer areas of the ruin can be viewed.
The former hotel that occupied the towers has been demolished, and a new building is being constructed within the historic ruin complex.
Civil weddings, once held on site, have not taken place since hotel operations ceased in 2018.
The site sits right next to the Sababurg Wildlife Park, within the Reinhardswald forest.

Where this château is

Hofgeismar · Landkreis Kassel · Hessen

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

34369 Hofgeismar

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

Get directions View on a map

Heritage status: Protection status unknown
Period of construction: 14th century

In pictures

Frequently asked

Can you still visit the Sababurg today?: Access has been limited since 2018 due to renovation work, and usually only an outside view of the ruin is possible.
Why is the Sababurg called Sleeping Beauty Castle?: Its overgrown, abandoned state from the 18th century onward inspired the popular link to the Brothers Grimm fairy tale.
How old is the Sababurg?: Construction began in 1334 as the Zappenburg, before it was converted into a hunting lodge starting in 1490.
Is there a hotel at the Sababurg?: A hotel once occupied the towers of the ruin, but it closed in 2018 and a new building is currently under construction.
Where is the Sababurg in relation to the wildlife park?: The ruin stands directly above the Sababurg Wildlife Park, both located within the Reinhardswald forest.