Summer is coming to Munich and luring city dwellers outdoors. The good weather offers you the perfect opportunity for a trip to one of the state’s many attractions. If you’re passionate about history or simply enjoy nature, then the Kallmünz Castle Ruins are a great destination for you. Discover the historic ruins on a hike along the Burgsteige trail or during a day trip to the picturesque town of Kallmünz.
Traces of the Celts
The Kallmünz Castle Ruins are the remains of a spur castle that towers above the market town of the same name. Archaeological evidence suggests that the Celts already used the approximately 50-hectare site for defensive purposes. Later, a refuge castle was built here, serving as a place of retreat for the settlement’s inhabitants. The remains of the fortification visible today date from the High Middle Ages, although neither the exact date of construction nor the builder is known for certain. It is presumed to have been built sometime between 1150 and 1280, as suggested by the architecture of the ruins.
From 1329 onward, Kallmünz Castle was owned by the House of Wittelsbach, but was pledged to Regensburg by Ludwig the Bavarian just 15 years later. Over the centuries, the castle changed hands several times and was eventually burned down during the War of the Palatinate Succession. Although it was rebuilt, the Thirty Years’ War brought about the final destruction of the fortress, and it became the Kallmünz castle ruins we see today.
Tour of the Kallmünz Castle Ruins
The Kallmünz Castle Ruins are perched above the Naab Valley at an elevation of about 433 meters, so you can spot them from a distance. They are part of the Burgsteige trail in the Regensburg region, which connects over 40 castle sites. You can therefore plan it as a stopover on a longer tour, or take a day trip to the market town at the foot of the Schlossberg and visit the Kallmünz Castle Ruins while you’re there. The Schlossberg itself also hides Germany’s only remaining furnished cave dwelling, the “House Without a Roof,” whose green wall glows out to greet you from the outside.
You can visit the Kallmünz Castle Ruins for free and follow in the footsteps of the Celts and the Wittelsbachs. The outer curtain wall is still almost completely intact, as is the 20-meter-high keep. You can climb it to enjoy the fantastic view over the Naab Valley. Inside the ruins, you can also see several impressive archways and explore the floor plans of former halls. The castle is open year-round, so your visit isn’t limited to any particular season.
