Top 16 Castles around Mahlberg
Best castles around Mahlberg are situated in a region known for its historical significance and natural landscape at the edge of the Black Forest. The area features a blend of medieval and Baroque architecture, reflecting centuries of development. Mahlberg itself is home to Schloss Mahlberg, an imperial castle first documented in the early 13th century. Visitors can explore various historical sites and enjoy popular walks near Mahlberg.
Best castles around Mahlberg
- The most popular castles is Hohengeroldseck Castle Ruins, a castle that is a great ruin preserved on a voluntary basis. It offers a gigantic view in clear weather.
- Another must-see spot is Ruins of Lützelhardt Castle, a quaint ruin and historical site. Visitors can explore a well-preserved facility with a hiking pavilion as a rest area, reaching it after a brisk march.
- Visitors also love Ruins of Kirnburg Castle, a historical castle ruin with a great view over the Rhine plain to the Vosges. The castle was an administrative center in the 13th century and features a square tower built shortly after 1200.
- Mahlberg is known for its castle ruins, early medieval refuge castles, and historical palaces. The region offers a variety of castles to see and explore, showcasing different architectural periods and historical roles.
- The castles around Mahlberg are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 1800 upvotes and over 2300 photos shared by visitors.
Last updated: May 9, 2026
Hohengeroldseck Castle Ruins
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Ruins of Lützelhardt Castle
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Ruins of Kirnburg Castle
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The 60 x 80 m area of the upper castle and its outer bailey is secured with several neck ditches to the south. This spur was once used to access the weir system. The oldest element in the center of the castle is the square tower built shortly after 1200 from humpback ashlars. The original complex also included a curtain wall and a gate, in which a certificate was issued in 1219.
In 1352 Friedrich von Üsenberg sold the castle to Heinrich IV. Von Hachberg. During this time the shield wall and other buildings were built. In 1515 it came - dilapidated and not habitable - into the possession of the knight Wolf von Hürnheim, who probably carried out the last construction work. At that time the hall was redesigned and equipped with a splendid tiled stove. After the destruction in 1638, the castle fell into disrepair and served as a quarry, so that the former building stock is only partially legible today. (van Akkeren / Jenisch 2019)
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Nirlinsberg Early Medieval Refuge Castle
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The area separated by the ditch measures approx. 140 m in length and 25 m at the widest point. The terrain is graded to the north in several flat terraces. In front of the northern tip, in front of the steep slope towards the valley, is a wide, roughly triangular terrace, which is lower but was probably included in the fortifications. Halfway up the artificially steep (excavated) northern slope, a wide berm can be seen all around. In contrast, the eastern slope appears completely changed by later planted terraced vines.
The construction time of the plant is not clear. More recent inspections provided new approaches through reading finds here. However, it is still unclear whether it was a refuge (only a temporary retreat (escape castle?) or a permanently inhabited seat of power.
Due to the spatial proximity to the early medieval Altenkenzingen and the Carolingian sherd, construction and use in the 8th-10th Century very likely. The Nirlinsberg would thus belong to the group of early forms of medieval castles.
More information on my website:
breisgau-burgen.de/de/index.php/breisgau-burgen/burgen-a-h/461-kenzingen-nirlinsberg-8-10-jh
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Ettenheim Palace
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Die Stadt Ettenheim gehörte seit dem 11. Jahrhundert zum weltlichen Besitz des Fürstbistums Straßburg. 1560 errichtete Bischof Erasmus Schenk von Limpurg das Gebäude als Amtshaus im Stil der Renaissance. Der dreigeschossige Bau mit hohem ebenfalls dreigeschossigem Satteldach wurde dabei auf einem noch wesentlich älteren Kellerfundament errichtet. Durch die Hanglage ist das Kellergeschoss vom Hof aus erkennbar. Einziger Bauschmuck sind die Giebelfialen, ein Steinfries unter dem Giebel und das Steinwappen über dem Eingang, zu dem eine doppelläufige Treppe führt. Der Schlussstein auf der östlichen Giebelspitze des Erkervorbaus zum Marktplatz hin zeigt das Wappen des Erbauers Bischof Erasmus und die Jahreszahl 1560.
Im 18. Jahrhundert wurde Ettenheim als Nebenresidenz neben Straßburg und Saverne im Stil des Barocks ausgebaut. 1790 musste Kardinal Louis von Rohan aus seinen linksrheinischen Besitzungen fliehen. Er zog zunächst ins Kloster Ettenheimmünster, bis das Amtshaus als fürstbischöfliche Residenz umgestaltet war. 1791 wurde Ettenheim die offizielle Residenz des Fürstbischofs und des Domkapitels. Sie mussten allerdings immer wieder vor den Revolutionstruppen fliehen. Erst 1801 konnte der Kardinal endgültig zurückkehren, wo er 1803 starb. Sein Nachlass wurde versteigert. Nur noch ein Gobelin seines Onkels Armand Gaston von Rohan-Soubise hat sich erhalten und wird im Sitzungssaal im Obergeschoss gezeigt. Dort befindet sich zudem ein Thora-Vorhang (Parochet) aus der ehemaligen Synagoge in Ettenheim. Die übrigen Gobelins schmückten später das Mannheimer Schloss, wo sie teilweise wieder gezeigt werden können.
Hinter dem Amtshaus befand sich das Wohnhaus des Vogts. Später entstand hier die Winterschule, die als höhere Bürgerschule und als Landwirtschaftsschule genutzt wurde. Heute sind hier betreute Altenwohnungen eingerichtet, und der Gewölbekeller wird von einer lokalen Kulturinitiative genutzt.
Quelle: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schloss_Ettenheim
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The Nirlinsberg is a long tongue of mountain that protrudes far into the valley to the north and drops very steeply to the north, west and east. Its southern, acute-angled end is separated from the rear ridge by a neck ditch about 15 m wide. There is no sign of an assumed wall in the area, the area was leveled for the planting of vines. The area separated by the ditch measures approx. 140 m in length and 25 m at the widest point. The terrain is graded to the north in several flat terraces. In front of the northern tip, in front of the steep slope towards the valley, is a wide, roughly triangular terrace, which is lower but was probably included in the fortifications. Halfway up the artificially steep (excavated) northern slope, a wide berm can be seen all around. In contrast, the eastern slope appears completely changed by later planted terraced vines. The construction time of the plant is not clear. More recent inspections provided new approaches through reading finds here. However, it is still unclear whether it was a refuge (only a temporary retreat (escape castle?) or a permanently inhabited seat of power. Due to the spatial proximity to the early medieval Altenkenzingen and the Carolingian sherd, construction and use in the 8th-10th Century very likely. The Nirlinsberg would thus belong to the group of early forms of medieval castles. More information on my website: https://www.breisgau-burgen.de/de/index.php/breisgau-burgen/burgen-a-h/461-kenzingen-nirlinsberg-8-10-jh
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A ruin that is easy to reach and the way there is fun. Paths over hill and dale or well-developed hiking trails offer something for everyone. The remains of the castle are well maintained.
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The knowledge gained during the excavations in 1926-1929 about the completely removed outer and middle castle lead to the floor plans exhibited on site. Of these parts, only the worked rock can be seen. In the former middle castle there is a rain-protected rest area. There are still a few walls from the main castle, which have also been supplemented and secured. I have no idea why a millstone was walled in with it. In any case, the ruin is nice and quiet and is worth a visit.
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Great castle ruins - wonderful view, stairs to climb around and explore the walls.
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The legend of the Grüselhorn has grown up around Lützelhardt Castle, according to which a gentleman from Geroldseck was abducted to Lützelhardt, discovered his whereabouts through a familiar horn call and was then able to free himself. After that, Lützelhardt was said to have been destroyed (around 1235).
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Related Links https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirnburg https://www.kirnburg.de/
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Schloss Ettenheim war die letzte Residenz des letzten Fürstbischofs von Straßburg Louis René Edouard von Rohan-Guémené. Es wird deshalb auch als Palais Rohan ('letztes Schloss') bezeichnet. Heute dient es der Stadtverwaltung von Ettenheim. Die Stadt Ettenheim gehörte seit dem 11. Jahrhundert zum weltlichen Besitz des Fürstbistums Straßburg. 1560 errichtete Bischof Erasmus Schenk von Limpurg das Gebäude als Amtshaus im Stil der Renaissance. Der dreigeschossige Bau mit hohem ebenfalls dreigeschossigem Satteldach wurde dabei auf einem noch wesentlich älteren Kellerfundament errichtet. Durch die Hanglage ist das Kellergeschoss vom Hof aus erkennbar. Einziger Bauschmuck sind die Giebelfialen, ein Steinfries unter dem Giebel und das Steinwappen über dem Eingang, zu dem eine doppelläufige Treppe führt. Der Schlussstein auf der östlichen Giebelspitze des Erkervorbaus zum Marktplatz hin zeigt das Wappen des Erbauers Bischof Erasmus und die Jahreszahl 1560. Im 18. Jahrhundert wurde Ettenheim als Nebenresidenz neben Straßburg und Saverne im Stil des Barocks ausgebaut. 1790 musste Kardinal Louis von Rohan aus seinen linksrheinischen Besitzungen fliehen. Er zog zunächst ins Kloster Ettenheimmünster, bis das Amtshaus als fürstbischöfliche Residenz umgestaltet war. 1791 wurde Ettenheim die offizielle Residenz des Fürstbischofs und des Domkapitels. Sie mussten allerdings immer wieder vor den Revolutionstruppen fliehen. Erst 1801 konnte der Kardinal endgültig zurückkehren, wo er 1803 starb. Sein Nachlass wurde versteigert. Nur noch ein Gobelin seines Onkels Armand Gaston von Rohan-Soubise hat sich erhalten und wird im Sitzungssaal im Obergeschoss gezeigt. Dort befindet sich zudem ein Thora-Vorhang (Parochet) aus der ehemaligen Synagoge in Ettenheim. Die übrigen Gobelins schmückten später das Mannheimer Schloss, wo sie teilweise wieder gezeigt werden können. Hinter dem Amtshaus befand sich das Wohnhaus des Vogts. Später entstand hier die Winterschule, die als höhere Bürgerschule und als Landwirtschaftsschule genutzt wurde. Heute sind hier betreute Altenwohnungen eingerichtet, und der Gewölbekeller wird von einer lokalen Kulturinitiative genutzt. Quelle: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schloss_Ettenheim
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Very well-preserved castle ruins with a fantastic view. The Geroldsecker Qualitätsweg also leads past this castle. The castle is even advertised with a brown sign on the A5 and is accordingly well attended.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Schloss Mahlberg and its historical significance?
Schloss Mahlberg is a Baroque castle in Mahlberg that incorporates a medieval structure, first documented in the early 13th century. It was an imperial castle and the seat of an imperial school, contributing to Mahlberg receiving city rights from Emperor Friedrich II in 1223. The castle has undergone significant renovations, notably in the early 20th century and again in the 1990s, preserving its blend of medieval and Baroque architectural styles.
What other notable castles can I visit near Mahlberg?
Beyond Schloss Mahlberg, you can explore several other historical sites. The Hohengeroldseck Castle Ruins offer a gigantic view in clear weather. The Ruins of Lützelhardt Castle provide a quaint, well-preserved facility with a hiking pavilion. Another option is the Ruins of Kirnburg Castle, which features a great view over the Rhine plain to the Vosges and was an administrative center in the 13th century.
What kind of views can I expect from the castles around Mahlberg?
Many castles in the region offer impressive panoramic views. For instance, the Hohengeroldseck Castle Ruins are known for their 'gigantic view' on clear days. The Ruins of Kirnburg Castle provide a great view over the Rhine plain to the Vosges mountains. Even the Nirlinsberg Early Medieval Refuge Castle, though a ruin, is situated on a mountain tongue that protrudes into the valley, suggesting potential viewpoints.
Are there family-friendly castles or routes around Mahlberg?
Yes, several castles and their surrounding trails are suitable for families. The Hohengeroldseck Castle Ruins are considered family-friendly, with an interesting hiking trail up that includes many stations to engage children. The Ruins of Kirnburg Castle are also listed as family-friendly.
Can I bring my dog to the castle trails near Mahlberg?
While specific dog policies for each castle may vary, many outdoor trails leading to castle ruins in the region are generally dog-friendly. It's always advisable to keep dogs on a leash, especially in historical sites or areas with wildlife, and to clean up after them.
What is the best time of year to visit the castles around Mahlberg?
The region's castles can be enjoyed throughout much of the year. Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures for hiking and exploring, with vibrant foliage or blooming landscapes. Summer provides longer daylight hours, while clear winter days can offer crisp views, though some facilities might have reduced hours. Always check local weather conditions before your visit.
Are there hiking trails around the castles near Mahlberg?
Yes, the area around Mahlberg is excellent for hiking. Many castles, like the Hohengeroldseck Castle Ruins, are accessible via hiking trails. For more options, you can explore various routes in the Castles around Mahlberg guide, which often incorporate walks to these historical sites.
What other outdoor activities can I do near the castles?
Besides exploring castles, the region offers diverse outdoor activities. You can find numerous routes for gravel biking, mountain biking, and cycling around Mahlberg. These routes often pass through scenic landscapes and offer different difficulty levels.
Is there parking available for visitors to the castles?
Parking availability varies by specific castle. For example, when hiking to the Ruins of Kirnburg Castle, there is a designated parking lot for hikers between Bombach and Heimbach. It is recommended to check specific access points for each castle you plan to visit for the most convenient parking options.
How can I reach the castles around Mahlberg using public transport?
While some castles might be more easily accessible by car, public transport options exist to reach Mahlberg itself, and from there, local buses or walking routes might connect to certain castle sites. For detailed public transport information to specific castle locations, it's best to consult local transport schedules or tourist information for Mahlberg.
What do visitors enjoy most about the castles around Mahlberg?
Visitors frequently highlight the historical significance and the impressive views. For instance, the Hohengeroldseck Castle Ruins are praised for their 'gigantic view' and the engaging hiking trail. The Ruins of Lützelhardt Castle are appreciated for being a 'beautiful, well-preserved facility' and a peaceful retreat. The blend of medieval and Baroque architecture, along with the preservation efforts, also adds to the appeal.
Are there any early medieval refuge castles in the area?
Yes, the Nirlinsberg Early Medieval Refuge Castle is located near Mahlberg. Its construction and use are believed to date back to the 8th-10th century, making it one of the early forms of medieval castles in the region. It's situated on a prominent mountain tongue, historically providing a strategic defensive position.
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