Top 7 Castles around Balzhausen

A moated castle on dry land? Until the 16th century, the Kammel River flowed directly past this spot. Surrounded by a pond and marshy terrain, Hürben Castle once stood like an island. To prevent the building from sinking into the soft ground, it was built on massive wooden piles in the 15th century. The walls, which widen towards the bottom, also stabilize the structure. That the construction has stood since 1474 is truly remarkable. Today, the castle houses the Swabia District's advisory center for folk music.

Hattenberg Castle Site The castle was built in the 12th century by the Chamberlains of Kemnat. The Hohenstaufen dynasty had granted the family the sub-advocateship over the possessions of the Bishopric of Augsburg in this area. The branch of the Kemnat family residing at Hattenberg subsequently took its name from the fortress. Several members of the family appear in contemporary documents from the 13th century. However, the castle was devastated in 1297 during a feud between the lord of the castle, Heinrich von Hattenberg, and Bishop Wolfhard von Rohr. The Prince-Bishopric of Augsburg then acquired the associated rights of lordship. Nevertheless, in 1304, the Hattenberg family was appointed Landvogt (governor) of Upper Swabia and city and district governor of Augsburg. Heavily indebted due to his military service in the army of Albrecht I of Austria, the nobleman attempted to improve his financial situation through several raids and highway robberies. The citizens of Augsburg, together with the bishop and the cathedral chapter, sued the knight before King Albrecht in 1305. Shortly thereafter, the "robber knight" was stripped of his bailiwick over the bishop's estates. The Hattenberg family line likely died out with Marquard von Hattenberg around 1370. The castle site had already been pledged by the Prince-Bishopric in 1365. In 1641, the Augsburg Cathedral Chapter purchased the Lordship of Hattenberg. Around 1780, the castle's remaining walls were demolished to make way for the construction of the brewery in Ustersbach. Later, the conical shape of the main castle was partially removed by quarrying the conglomerate rock deposits found there.

Just to watch the storks in their busy activity

Today, the Hürben Water Castle houses the Swabia District Folk Music Advisory Center. It also houses a gallery, open since 2018, showcasing artwork and exhibitions. The newly designed grounds at Hürben Water Castle were officially opened in 2019, with water from the new fountain system playing a key role.

The castle was built in the 12th century by the chamberlains of Kemnat. The Hohenstaufen dynasty had granted the dynasty the sub-bailiwick over the possessions of the Diocese of Augsburg in this area. The branch of the Kemnat family based in Hattenberg subsequently named itself after the fortress. Several bearers of this name appear in contemporary documents in the 13th century. The castle was, however, already devastated in 1297 during a feud between the lord of the castle, Heinrich von Hattenberg, and Bishop Wolfhard von Rohr. The Bishopric of Augsburg subsequently acquired the associated sovereign rights.

Not far from the Hürben moated castle is the Hürben Synagogue Square. The memorial commemorates the deportation and murder of 14 Krumbach Jews in 1942.

Rhododendron blossom at Seyfriedsberg Castle

Former castle ruins with a notice board, which probably also belonged to the Oberschönefeld monastery!