Obere Veste (upper castle) ruins

These beautifully restored castle ruins are well worth a visit, especially as there is a wonderful view over the town of Treuchtlingen from here.

History of Obere Veste
During the first half of the twelfth century, a castle was built on the hill west of Treuchtlingen. It was an important defensive fortress with a freestanding stone tower and several forecourts. Following two major fire disasters, the Treuchtlingen nobility managed to take over the castle in 1340.

But the lineage of the Treuchtlingen knights died out as early as 1422, and their heirs sold the castle and its sovereignty to the marshals of Pappenheim in the middle of the fifteenth century. The castle on the hill had fallen out of fashion and was left to ruin by the Pappenheim dynasty towards the end of the fifteenth century.

Restoration of the castle
Back in 1975, the castle ruins were excavated, restored and partially rebuilt by the Burg Treuchtlingen e.V. (friends of Treuchtlingen upper castle association).

In the castle’s courtyard, you can see the cistern reconstructed from the original stone and the brick stove from the castle kitchen. There is a great view of the ruins from the viewing tower, which was built on the original walls of the former residential tower.

Burgfest (Castle festival) and Burgstube (castle parlour)
The castle grounds provide the setting for the annual Burgfest (a festival held annually on the third weekend in June). A big historic Burgfest is organised once every three years.

The rustic Burgstube is in the former moat and is open to visitors on the second Sunday of every month. This is well worth a visit! Further information is available from the castle association website.

 Insider tip: there is a particularly good view of Treuchtlingen from the newly erected castle tower. You can get the keys to visit the keep from the Treuchtlingen spa and tourist information centre. A deposit is taken for the keys.