German Castle Road
Germany
From the Neckar Valley to the Franconian highlands, 507 km and over 370 castles, ruins, and fortresses following the Burgenstrasse from Mannheim through Heidelberg, the Tauber Valley medieval town of Rothenburg, and Wagner's Bayreuth. No road in Europe has a higher concentration of medieval fortifications.
Explore on the interactive map →Stops along the route
- Mannheim
A planned Baroque city whose streets use grid coordinates instead of names. The Mannheim Palace is the largest Baroque palace in Germany after Versailles.
- Heidelberg Castle
Germany's most visited ruin: Gothic and Renaissance palace wings above the Neckar, destroyed in 1693. The cellar holds the world's largest wine barrel at 221,726 litres.
- Bad Wimpfen
A Hohenstaufen imperial city on a bluff above the Neckar, with two medieval towers, a complete gate street, and half-timbered lanes unchanged since the 15th century.
- Rothenburg ob der Tauber
The most completely preserved medieval walled town in Germany. The 16th-century ramparts are fully walkable and the market square has been unchanged since 1300.
- Ansbach
The Hohenzollern Margrave's Baroque Residenz holds 56 rooms of Delftware tile stoves. Ansbach is also where the mysterious foundling Kaspar Hauser appeared in 1828.
- Bayreuth
Wagner built his Festspielhaus here in 1876 for the Ring Cycle world premiere. The acoustics are legendary and the ticket waiting list runs eleven months. Villa Wahnfried is nearby.
Where to Eat
- Zur HöllTraditional German
Historic tavern dating back to around 900 AD, offering authentic Franconian dishes in a medieval setting.
- Gasthof Goldener HirschBavarian
Family-run inn serving hearty Bavarian specialties in a cozy, rustic atmosphere.
- Restaurant EisenhutFine Dining
Elegant restaurant offering gourmet cuisine with panoramic views of the Tauber Valley.
- Café EinzigartigCafé
Charming café known for its homemade cakes and specialty coffees, perfect for a relaxing break.
Things to Do
- Medieval Crime MuseumMuseum
Explore a vast collection of artifacts detailing the history of law and punishment in medieval Europe.
- St. James's ChurchHistoric Site
Visit this 14th-century church renowned for its stunning Gothic architecture and the Holy Blood altarpiece.
- Town Walls WalkScenic Viewpoint
Walk along the well-preserved medieval walls for panoramic views of the town and surrounding countryside.
- PlönleinLandmark
Iconic and picturesque spot featuring a narrow half-timbered house and two diverging cobblestone streets.