Palaces, Castles & Ruins
Numerous palaces and ruins in the region reflect the changes throughout the history of Ostwuerttemberg. Monuments from different historical periods are still there, some of them partly as ruins. Many of the historical sites still can be visited and a few of them house interesting museums. The Schwaebische Ostalb offers interesting and manifold destinations to visit. The palaces and ruins of the region are ideal starting points for biking or hiking tours that lead you over plateaus, idyllic valleys and romantic old towns.
Many of the palaces are of national importance such as the Kapfenburg near Lauchheim, Schloss Hohenbaldern or the Castle in Ellwangen. Ruins such as the Ritterburg Niederalfingen or the Burgruine Hohenrechberg are respectfully looked upon even outside the region. An impressive, well kept, medieval ruin is the Burg Katzenstein near Dischingen. This castle from the Hohenstaufen dynasty from the 12th century together with its chapel from the 14th century is one of the oldest Roman fortresses in Southern Germany. Let your imagination roam free and enter the world of minnesingers, damsels, and knights.
Following is a listing of the most beautiful and well known palaces and castles of Ostwuerttemberg:
- Brenzer Schloss Brenz
- Burg Katzenstein Dischingen
- Burg Niederalfingen
- Burgruine Hohenrechberg Schwäbisch Gmünd
- Ruine Kaltenburg Hürben
- Schloss Baldern Bopfingen
- Schloss ob Ellwangen
- Schloss Fachsenfeld Aalen
- Schloss und Burg Hellenstein
- Schloss Hohenstadt Abtsgmünd
- Schloss Kapfenburg Lauchheim
- Marienburg Niederalfingen
- Schloss Taxis Dischingen
- Schloss Untergröningen