Germany is home to more castles than the United States has McDonald’s locations, a comparison that feels almost unreal at first glance. Estimates suggest Germany has over 20,000 castles and castle ruins spread across the country, many dating back to the Middle Ages when regional rulers built fortified residences along rivers and trade routes. In contrast, the United States has roughly 13,000 McDonald’s outlets as of recent counts. The contrast highlights how deeply rooted Germany’s architectural