The Castle Road (german: Burgenstraße) is a theme route in southern

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...

(in

Bavaria Bavaria ( ; ), officially the Free State of Bavaria (german: Freistaat Bayern, link=no ), is a state in the south-east of Germany. With an area of , Bavaria is the largest German state by land area, comprising roughly a fifth of the total lan ...

and

Baden-Württemberg Baden-Württemberg (; ), commonly shortened to BW or BaWü, is a German state () in Southwest Germany, east of the Rhine, which forms the southern part of Germany's western border with France. With more than 11.07 million inhabitants across a ...

) and a small portion in the

Czech Republic The Czech Republic, or simply Czechia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Historically known as Bohemia, it is bordered by Austria to the south, Germany to the west, Poland to the northeast, and Slovakia to the southeast. The ...

, between

Mannheim Mannheim (; Palatine German: or ), officially the University City of Mannheim (german: Universitätsstadt Mannheim), is the second-largest city in the German state of Baden-Württemberg after the state capital of Stuttgart, and Germany's 2 ...

and

Prague Prague ( ; cs, Praha ; german: Prag, ; la, Praga) is the capital and largest city in the Czech Republic, and the historical capital of Bohemia. On the Vltava river, Prague is home to about 1.3 million people. The city has a temperate ...

. It was established in 1954. In 1994 it was possible to extend it to Prague. It leads through the Neckar valley, the Hohenlohe Plateau, the

Franconia Franconia (german: Franken, ; Franconian dialect: ''Franggn'' ; bar, Frankn) is a region of Germany, characterised by its culture and Franconian dialect (German: ''Fränkisch''). The three administrative regions of Lower, Middle and Upper Fr ...

n Heights,

Franconian Switzerland Franconian Switzerland (german: Fränkische Schweiz) is an upland in Upper Franconia, Bavaria, Germany and a popular tourist retreat. Located between the River Pegnitz in the east and the south, the River Regnitz in the west and the River Main i ...

, the Fichtelgebirge and the Kaiserwald (Slavkovský les). The Castle Road has a length of over .

List of Places

The Castle Road at the moment passes, from west to east, the following places and landmarks. * D-

–

Mannheim Palace Mannheim Palace (german: Mannheimer Schloss) is a large Baroque palace in Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It was originally the main residence of the Prince-electors of the Electorate of the Palatinate of the House of Wittelsbach until ...

* D-

Schwetzingen Schwetzingen (; pfl, Schwetzinge) is a German town in northwest Baden-Württemberg, around southwest of Heidelberg and southeast of Mannheim. Schwetzingen is one of the five biggest cities of the Rhein-Neckar-Kreis district and a medium-sized ...

–

Schwetzingen Castle Schwetzingen Palace is a schloss in the German state of Baden-Württemberg. Schwetzingen was the summer residence of the Electors Palatine Charles III Philip and Charles IV Theodore (of the House of Wittelsbach). It is situated in Schwetzingen, ...

* D-

Heidelberg Heidelberg (; Palatine German language, Palatine German: ''Heidlberg'') is a city in the States of Germany, German state of Baden-Württemberg, situated on the river Neckar in south-west Germany. As of the 2016 census, its population was 159,914 ...

–

Heidelberg Castle Heidelberg Castle (german: Heidelberger Schloss) is a ruin in Germany and landmark of Heidelberg. The castle ruins are among the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps. The castle has only been partially rebuilt since its demoli ...

, Old Inner City * D- Neckargemünd –

Bergfeste Dilsberg Dilsberg Castle (german: Bergfeste Dilsberg) is a ruined castle located in Neckargemünd, Germany. It was built by the counts of Lauffen in the 12th century, but in the 14th century became part of the Electorate of the Palatinate. The castle becam ...

* D-

Neckarsteinach The four-castle town of Neckarsteinach lies on the Neckar in the Bergstraße district in the southernmost part of Hesse, Germany, 15 km east of Heidelberg. Geography Location Both by way of transport and culture, Neckarsteinach's location ...

– Schadeck Castle, Hinterburg Castle, Mittelburg and Vorderburg * D-

Hirschhorn (Neckar) Hirschhorn (Neckar) is a small town in the Bergstraße district of Hesse, Germany, and is known as "The Pearl of the Neckar valley”. Hirschhorn is a climatic health resort situated in the ''Geo-Naturpark Bergstraße-Odenwald''. Geography ...

– Hirschhorn Castle * D- Eberbach – Eberbach Castle * D- Zwingenberg -

Zwingenburg Zwingenberg Castle (german: Burg Zwingenberg), also called Zwingenberg or Schloss Zwingenberg, stands on the right bank of the River Neckar where it cuts through the Odenwald hills in central Germany. The castle is located in the municipality o ...

* D-

Neckargerach Neckargerach is a municipality in the district of Neckar-Odenwald-Kreis, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country ...

- Minneburg * D-

Binau Binau is a municipality in the district of Neckar-Odenwald-Kreis, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. History There are signs of human settlement in the area dating from the Bronze Age. Binau is first mentioned in historical records in 769. The c ...

- Dauchstein Castle * D-

Obrigheim Obrigheim ( South Franconian: ''Owweringe'') is a town in the district of Neckar-Odenwald-Kreis, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is the location of the Obrigheim Nuclear Power Plant Obrigheim Nuclear Power Plant (KWO) is a mothballed nucl ...

– Neuburg Castle * D-

Mosbach Mosbach (; South Franconian: ''Mossbach'') is a town in the north of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is the seat of the Neckar-Odenwald district and has a population of approximately 25,000 distributed in six boroughs: Mosbach Town, Lohrbach, N ...

– historical town centre * D-

Neckarzimmern Neckarzimmern is a municipality in the district of Neckar-Odenwald-Kreis, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Neckarzimmern also was the main site of dispersal for the German Anti-Friction Bearings Industry during the Allied bombing of Germany. Thi ...

– Hornberg Castle * D- Haßmersheim-Neckarmühlbach – Guttenberg Castle * D- Gundelsheim – Horneck Castle * D-

Bad Rappenau Bad Rappenau (; South Franconian German, South Franconian: ''Rappene'') is a city municipality in the Heilbronn (district), district of Heilbronn in Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. It is situated about northwest of Heilbronn. Geography ...

– Heinsheim Castle,

Ehrenberg Castle Ehrenberg Castle is a castle located in Reutte in Tyrol, Austria Austria, , bar, Östareich officially the Republic of Austria, is a country in the southern part of Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation ...

, Rappenau Water Castle * D-

Bad Wimpfen Bad Wimpfen () is a historic spa town in the district of Heilbronn in the Baden-Württemberg region of southern Germany. It lies north of the city of Heilbronn, on the river Neckar. Geography Bad Wimpfen is located on the west bank of the River ...

– Kaiserpfalz Wimpfen * D-

Heilbronn Heilbronn () is a List of cities and towns in Germany, city in northern Baden-Württemberg, Germany, surrounded by Heilbronn (district), Heilbronn District. With over 126,000 residents, it is the sixth-largest city in the state. From the late Mid ...

– city itself * D- Weinsberg – Weibertreu ruins * D- Jagsthausen – Götzenburg (castle of Götz von Berlichingen) * D- Öhringen – Öhringen Castle * D- Neuenstein – Neuenstein Castle * D- Waldenburg –

Waldenburg Castle Waldenburg may refer to: Geography * Waldenburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany * Waldenburg, Saxony, Germany * Waldenburg, Silesia, today Wałbrzych, Poland * Waldenburg, Switzerland * Waldenburg, Arkansas, USA * Bělá pod Pradědem (Waldenburg), Cz ...

* D-

Schwäbisch Hall Schwäbisch Hall (; "Swabian Hall"; from 1802 until 1934 and colloquially: ''Hall'' ) is a city in the German state of Baden-Württemberg located in the valley of the Kocher river, the longest tributary (together with its headwater Lein) of the ...

– Comburg * D- Kirchberg an der Jagst – Kirchberg Castle * D-

Langenburg Langenburg () is a town in the district of Schwäbisch Hall, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is located on a hill above the river Jagst, 18 km northeast of Schwäbisch Hall. It is also the place where Wibele - small, sweet, biscuit-like ...

–

Langenburg Castle Langenburg () is a town in the district of Schwäbisch Hall, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is located on a hill above the river Jagst, 18 km northeast of Schwäbisch Hall. It is also the place where Wibele - small, sweet, biscuit-like ...

* D-

Rothenburg ob der Tauber Rothenburg ob der Tauber () is a town in the district of Ansbach of Mittelfranken (Middle Franconia), the Franconia region of Bavaria, Germany. It is well known for its well-preserved medieval old town, a destination for tourists from around the w ...

– Rothenburg ob der Tauber, medieval town * D- Ansbach – Margravial Residence, Orangery and Hofgarten * D-Romantic

– Colmberg Castle, Veste Lichtenau, castle of the

Teutonic Knights The Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem, commonly known as the Teutonic Order, is a Catholic religious institution founded as a military society in Acre, Kingdom of Jerusalem. It was formed to aid Christians on ...

, Wolframs-Eschenbach * D-

Abenberg Abenberg () is a town in the Middle Franconian district of Roth, in Bavaria, Germany. It is situated 9 km west of Roth bei Nürnberg and 25 km southwest of Nuremberg Nuremberg ( ; german: link=no, Nürnberg ; in the local East Franc ...

– Abenberg Castle * D-

Roth Roth may refer to: Places Germany * Roth (district), in Bavaria, Germany ** Roth, Bavaria, capital of that district ** Roth (electoral district), a federal electoral district * Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany: ** Roth an der Our, in the district B ...

– Ratibor Castle * D-

Nürnberg Nuremberg ( ; german: link=no, Nürnberg ; in the local East Franconian dialect: ''Nämberch'' ) is the second-largest city of the German state of Bavaria after its capital Munich, and its 518,370 (2019) inhabitants make it the 14th-largest ci ...

–

Nuremberg Castle Nuremberg Castle (german: Nürnberger Burg) is a group of medieval fortified buildings on a sandstone ridge dominating the historical center of Nuremberg in Bavaria, Germany. The castle, together with the city walls, is considered to be one ...

* D-

– Kaiserpfalz Forchheim,

Ebermannstadt Ebermannstadt (; East Franconian: ''Ärmaschdood'') is a town in the district of Forchheim, in Bavaria, Germany. It is situated 10 km northeast of Forchheim and 25 km southeast of Bamberg. Districts *Breitenbach *Ebermannstadt *Gassel ...

, Mark Wiesenttal,

Egloffstein Castle Egloffstein Castle (german: Burg Egloffstein) is a former high mediaeval, aristocratic castle, that stands immediately west of the eponymous village of Egloffstein in the Upper Franconian county of Forchheim in the German state of Bavaria. The ...

Gößweinstein Castle Gößweinstein Castle (german: Burg Gößweinstein), also called Schloss Gößweinstein, is a mediaeval hilltop castle in Gößweinstein in the county of Forchheim in the German state of Bavaria. It towers high above the market town and the Riv ...

Waischenfeld Castle Waischenfeld Castle (german: Burgruine Waischenfeld) is a ruined rock castle on a rocky plateau a few metres west of the town of Waischenfeld in the province of Upper Franconia in the German state of Bavaria. History The first clues to a castl ...

, Aufsess Castle, Schloss Greifenstein * D-

Ahorntal Ahorntal is a Municipalities in Germany, municipality in the district of Bayreuth (district), Bayreuth in the ''States of Germany, state (Bundesland)'' of Bavaria in Germany. Ahorntal is known for its generally temperate weather. The town focuses ...

- Rabenstein Castle * D-

Bamberg Bamberg (, , ; East Franconian: ''Bambärch'') is a town in Upper Franconia, Germany, on the river Regnitz close to its confluence with the river Main. The town dates back to the 9th century, when its name was derived from the nearby ' castle. C ...

– Altenburg Castle, Bamberg, New Residence * D- Rentweinsdorf - Schloss Rentweinsdorf * D-

Ebern Ebern () is a town in the Haßberge district of Bavaria, Germany. It is situated southwest of Coburg and northwest of Bamberg. Its population is about 8,000. Its mayor is Robert Herrmann. Ebern is about 1,000 years old and has an intact defen ...

- historic old town, Schloss Eyrichsdorf,

Rotenhan Castle Rotenhan Castle (german: Burg Rotenhan) is a castle ruin about two kilometres north of the village of Eyrichshof in Lower Franconia in the south German state of Bavaria. Eyrichshof lies within the borough of Ebern in the district of Haßberge. ...

ruins * D-

Pfarrweisach Pfarrweisach is a Municipalities of Germany, municipality in the district of Haßberge (district), Haßberge in Bavaria in Germany. Geography Location Pfarrweisach lies in the Main-Rhön Region (Bavarian planning region no. 3). Subdivision ...

- Lichtenstein Castle * D-

Maroldsweisach Maroldsweisach is a Municipalities of Germany, municipality in the district of Haßberge (district), Haßberge in Bavaria in Germany. Culture and sights * Alte Burg (Altenstein), the "Old Castle" * Altenstein Castle (Lower Franconia), Altenstei ...

- Altenstein Castle * D-

Heldburg Heldburg is a town and a Municipalities of Germany, municipality in the Hildburghausen (district), district of Hildburghausen, in Thuringia, Germany. The municipality was created with effect from 1 January 2019 by the merger of the former municipal ...

Heldburg Fortress Heldburg Fortress (german: Veste Heldburg) is a high medieval hilltop castle. In the 16th century it was rebuilt into a renaissance castle. It rises on a former volcanic region to ' Heldburger Gangschar' counted, 405-metre-high volcanic cone, 113 ...

* D- Coburg – Ehrenburg Palace, Veste Coburg,

Callenberg Castle Callenberg Castle (''Schloss Callenberg'') is a castle on a wooded hill in Beiersdorf, an ''Ortsteil'' of Coburg, from the town centre. It was a hunting lodge and summer residence and has long been the principal residence of the House of Saxe-Cob ...

* D- Lichtenfels –

Lichtenfels Castle Lichtenfels may refer to: Places * Lichtenfels, Hesse in Germany * Lichtenfels, Bavaria in Germany ** Lichtenfels station ** 1. FC Lichtenfels, a German association football club * Lichtenfels (district) in Bavaria * Lichtenfels, Greenland Akun ...

* D- Kronach –

Rosenberg Fortress Rosenberg Fortress (German: ''Festung Rosenberg'') is a fortress situated on a hill overlooking Kronach, a town in the Upper Franconia region of Bavaria, Germany. It is one of the largest, best-preserved, and most complete fortresses in Bavaria. ...

* D-

Kulmbach Kulmbach () is the capital of the district of Kulmbach in Bavaria in Germany. The town is famous for Plassenburg Castle, which houses the largest tin soldier museum in the world, and for its sausages, or ''Bratwürste''. Geography Location Ku ...

–

Plassenburg Plassenburg is a castle in the city of Kulmbach in Bavaria. It is one of the most impressive castles in Germany and a symbol of the city. It was first mentioned in 1135. The Plassenberg family were ministerial of the counts of Andechs (later ...

* D-

Bayreuth Bayreuth (, ; bar, Bareid) is a town in northern Bavaria, Germany, on the Red Main river in a valley between the Franconian Jura and the Fichtelgebirge Mountains. The town's roots date back to 1194. In the 21st century, it is the capital of U ...

– New Palace Old Palace,

Eremitage The Hermitage Hunting Lodge (Danish: or ) is located in Dyrehaven north of Copenhagen, Denmark. The hunting lodge was built by architect Lauritz de Thurah in Baroque style from 1734 to 1736 for Christian VI of Denmark in order to host royal banqu ...

* CZ-

Cheb Cheb (; german: Eger) is a town in the Karlovy Vary Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 30,000 inhabitants. It lies on the river Ohře. Before the 1945 Expulsion of Germans from Czechoslovakia, expulsion of the German-speaking population ...

– Eger Castle * CZ- Lázně Kynžvart – Königswart Castle (''Lazne Kynzvart'') * CZ-

Loket Loket (; german: Elbogen) is a town of in Sokolov District in the Karlovy Vary Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 3,100 inhabitants. The town centre itself features Loket Castle, a 12th-century Gothic castle. The town centre is well prese ...

– Elbogen Castle (''Hrad Loket'') * CZ-

Bečov nad Teplou Bečov nad Teplou (german: Petschau) is a town in Karlovy Vary District in the Karlovy Vary Region of the Czech Republic The Czech Republic, or simply Czechia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Historically known as Bohemia, ...

– Petschau Castle (''Hrad a zámek Bečov'') * CZ-

Teplá Teplá (german: Tepl) is a town in Cheb District in the Karlovy Vary Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 2,900 inhabitants. The town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as urban monument zone. Administrative parts Villages of ...

–

Teplá Abbey Teplá Abbey ( cs, Klášter Teplá; german: Stift Tepl) is a Premonstratensian abbey in Teplá in the Karlovy Vary Region of the Czech Republic. It is included in the Archdiocese of Prague. History Teplá Abbey was founded in 1193 by the bles ...

* CZ- Švihov – Svihov Castle (''Vodní hrad Švihov'') * CZ-

Nezvěstice Nezvěstice is a municipality and village in Plzeň-City District in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,500 inhabitants. Nezvěstice lies approximately south-east of Plzeň and south-west of Prague. Administrative parts Vil ...

– Nebilovy Castle (''Zámek'' Nebílovy) * CZ-

Šťáhlavy Šťáhlavy is a municipality and village in Plzeň-City District in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 2,800 inhabitants. It lies south-east from Plzeň. Administrative parts Village of Šťáhlavice is an administrative part ...

–

Kozel Castle Kozel is a hunting castle in Šťáhlavy near Plzeň in the Czech Republic from the 18th century. History The castle was built in the Neoclassical style in 1784–1879. It was designed by architect Václav Haberditz for Jan Vojtěch of Czernin ...

(''Zámek Kozel'') * CZ-

Hořovice Hořovice (; german: Horschowitz, Horvitz, Horowitz) is a town in Beroun District in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 6,900 inhabitants. Administrative parts Hořovice is made up of only one administrative part. His ...

–

Hořovice Castle Hořovice Castle is a castle in the town of Hořovice in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. History It was built in two parts. The so-called "Old Castle" was built in the Gothic architecture, Gothic style in the 14th century, and ...

* CZ-

Zdice Zdice is a town in Beroun District in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 4,000 inhabitants. Administrative parts Villages of Černín and Knížkovice are administrative parts of Zdice. Geography Zdice is located abou ...

–

Žebrák Castle Žebrák Castle (German language, German ''Burg Bettlern'') lies in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. More accurately, it is in the Beroun District above the village of Točník and from the village of Žebrák. It was built by th ...

(''Hrad Žebrák''), Točník Castle (''Hrad Točník'') * CZ-

Křivoklát Křivoklát (german: Pürglitz) is a market town in Rakovník District in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 700 inhabitants. It is known for the Křivoklát Castle. Administrative parts Villages of Častonice and Pí ...

– Křivoklát Castle (''Hrad Křivoklát'') * CZ-

Karlštejn Karlštejn Castle ( cs, hrad Karlštejn; german: Burg Karlstein) is a large Gothic castle founded in 1348 by Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor-elect and King of Bohemia. The castle served as a place for safekeeping the Imperial Regalia as well as ...

–

Castle * CZ-

– Prague Castle

Cycleway

There also exits a Cycleway "Burgenstraßen-Radweg".

Gallery

Image:SchlossEhrenhof 2017.jpg, Mannheim Palace Image:Schwetzingen Zirkelbau Festspiele 2002.jpg, Schwetzingen Image:SchlossHeidelberg2.jpg, Heidelberg Castle Image:Hirschhorn.jpg, Hirschhorn Image:Burg-Eberbach02.jpg, Eberbach Castle Image:Zwingenburg.jpg, Zwingenburg Image:Bad Wimpfen 2000 Blauer Turm by-RaBoe 02.jpg, Bad Wimpfen Image:Weinsberg.jpg, Weinsberg Castle Image:Neuensteinschloss.jpg, Neuenstein Castle Image:Schwaebisch Hall St Michael.jpg, Schwäbisch Hall Image:Schloss Langenburg 260604.jpg, Langenburg Castle Image:Rothenburg BW 25.JPG, Rothenburg town hall Image:Nuernberg Burg Panorama.jpg, Nuremberg Castle Image:GreifensteinSchloss.JPG, Greifenstein Castle Image:Bamberg Neue Residenz.jpg, New Residence in Bamberg Image:Coburg-Veste1.jpg, Veste Coburg Image:Plassenburg oben.jpg, Plassenburg Castle Image:Festspielhaus.jpg, Festival Theater in Bayreuth Image:071107-Loket-Castle-Hrad.jpg, Loket Image:Burgkarlstein02.jpg, Karlštejn Castle Image:Hradschin Prag.jpg, Prague

Literature

* Arbeitsgemeinschaft "Die Burgenstraße": ''Burgenstraßen-Radwanderführer''. Hrsg. Arbeitsgemeinschaft "Die Burgenstraße", Heilbronn. J. Fink-Kümmerly + Frey Verlag GmbH, Ostfildern * Hans Konrad Schenk: ''Hohenlohe vom Reichsfürstentum zur Standesherrschaft''. Swiridoff-Verlag Künzelsau, 2006.

External links

Official site in English
* http://www.burgen.strasse-online.de {{Authority control Tourist attractions in Bavaria German tourist routes Tourist attractions in Baden-Württemberg Tourist attractions in the Czech Republic