Burg Katzenstein
Perched above the rolling landscape of the eastern Swabian Jura, Burg Katzenstein is one of the oldest surviving Hohenstaufen castles in Germany. Dating back to the 11th century, this impressive hilltop fortress has witnessed centuries of noble ownership, warfare, destruction, and restoration, yet it still retains much of its medieval character. One of the castle’s most fascinating stories is its survival through dramatic historical events. In 1648, near the end of the Thirty Years’ War, French troops set the castle on fire. Although heavily damaged, it was rebuilt in the following decades and remains remarkably well preserved today. Its location near an ancient Roman trade route adds another layer of historical significance, linking the site to an even earlier era. Visitors entering Burg Katzenstein can explore a picturesque inner courtyard surrounded by imposing stone walls and towers. The powerful medieval keep dominates the skyline and offers a glimpse into the castle’s defensive past. Inside, several historic halls showcase thick masonry, vaulted ceilings, and architectural details that reflect centuries of development.
Dischingen-Katzenstein Germany
Burg Katzenstein sits on a rocky spur in the little village of Katzenstein, part of the municipality of Dischingen in the Heidenheim district of Baden-Württemberg. The address is Oberer Weiler 1-3, 89561 Dischingen. It rises above a side valley of the Egau on the Härtsfeld, right at the edge of the Ries-Alb and the wider Swabian Alb landscape.This is one of the oldest surviving Hohenstaufen castles in the region, with a sturdy Romanesque keep known as the Katzenturm, a palace building, ring walls and a chapel that still holds late-Romanesque frescoes. The grounds are open to visitors, with a museum inside the tower, a pleasant garden and a tavern where you can sit for a while after climbing the stairs.Just a short drive away you will find the grand Baroque Abbey of Neresheim, complete with its own museum and famous church. Closer still are a handful of other castles and manor houses such as Schloss Taxis, Schloss Eglingen and the hunting lodge at Duttenstein. A bit farther you reach Schloss Hellenstein above Heidenheim and the Margarete Steiff Museum in Giengen, home of the famous teddy bears. The whole area belongs to the UNESCO Geopark Schwäbische Alb, so the surrounding hills, forests and the nearby Härtsfeld lake make easy companions for a quiet day out.