Top 14 Castles around Ratshausen

Hirschberg Castle is a ruined high medieval spur castle, probably a Zollern-Schalksburg ministerial, east of Balingen, above the district of Heselwangen in the Zollernalb district in Baden-Württemberg. The freely accessible castle site is located around 3100 meters east of Balingen's town church and 1350 meters south of Heselwangen church on a northwest-facing mountain spur 722 meters above sea level. Finds of pot and tile rim pieces from the 12th and 13th centuries in the area of the rampart and ditch traces that can still be traced in the area prove the long-doubted existence of this castle, mentioned in 1378. It plays an important role, if not in history, then at least in the narrative tradition of the city of Balingen. Jacob Frischlin, brother of Nicodemus Frischlin, who also came from the Balingen area and was a tutor at the Latin school in Balingen, described the legend of the founding of the town of Balingen in his short “Description of the most important towns in the state of Württemberg, castles, monasteries and market towns, their origins and ancient traditions, memorable histories” from 1622: The nobleman on the Hirschberg extorts more from his miller on the Eyach than he is entitled to. Therefore the miller, along with his servants and maids and the farmers from the neighborhood, rebels, chases the nobleman away, storms his castle and burns it down so that not a stone is left standing. He then placed himself under the protection and shelter of the lords of Zollern and Schalksburg. The village around the mill was made into a small town with a ring wall. To prevent the nobleman from returning, all the stones from the Hirschberg were taken and used to build the church in front of the town at the churchyard [today's cemetery church]. The castle also plays a prominent role in the legend of the Hirschgulden. Archaeological excavations took place between 1952 and 1955. Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burg_Hirschberg_(Balingen)

Hirschberg Castle is a ruined high medieval spur castle, probably a Zollern-Schalksburg ministerial, east of Balingen, above the district of Heselwangen in the Zollernalb district in Baden-Württemberg. The freely accessible castle site is located around 3100 meters east of Balingen's town church and 1350 meters south of Heselwangen church on a northwest-facing mountain spur 722 meters above sea level. Finds of pot and tile rim pieces from the 12th and 13th centuries in the area of the rampart and ditch traces that can still be traced in the area prove the long-doubted existence of this castle, mentioned in 1378. It plays an important role, if not in history, then at least in the narrative tradition of the city of Balingen. Jacob Frischlin, brother of Nicodemus Frischlin, who also came from the Balingen area, and tutor at the Latin school in Balingen, described the legend of the founding of the town of Balingen in his short “Description of the most important towns in the state of Württemberg, castles, monasteries and market towns, their origins and ancient traditions, memorable histories” from 1622: The nobleman on the Hirschberg extorts more from his miller on the Eyach than he is entitled to. Therefore, the miller, along with his servants and maids and the farmers in the neighborhood, rebels, chases the nobleman away, storms his castle and burns it down so that not a stone is left standing. He then placed himself under the protection and shelter of the lords of Zollern and Schalksburg. The village around the mill was made into a small town with a ring wall. To prevent the nobleman from returning, all the stones from the Hirschberg were taken and used to build the church in front of the town in the churchyard [today's cemetery church]. The castle also plays a prominent role in the legend of the Hirschgulden. Archaeological excavations took place between 1952 and 1955. Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burg_Hirschberg_(Balingen)

A concrete spiral staircase leads up to the keep's lookout. Since the tower is not very high, the view is very limited on three sides

There is not much to see of the former castle. The numerous information boards give you a good insight into the history of Hohenberg Castle. Benches with a great view invite you to linger

Everyone has to decide for themselves whether it's worth it. Only a sign reminds us of the castle.

You need a bit of imagination to see something here. The location for a 🏰 is a bit unusual in the valley. 😳

The photo hotspot in Balingen

At the Zollernschloss footbridge you will be transported back to the Middle Ages. The old walls have been newly renovated and are magnificent to look at from all sides.