Eisenberg Castle Ruins

Pfronten, Germany

Eisenberg Castle is a medieval hilltop castle ruin north of Pfronten. Eisenburg Castle was built in 1313, when the nobles of Hohenegg, deriving from the West of the Allgau, were deprived by force of their castle, Loch, by the Tyrolean. In consequence, they moved a few miles further north to establish their new lordship of Eisenberg which centered round a new castle. To visualize their power towards Tyrol/Austria, which held the closely sited castle of Falkenstein, Peter of Hohenegg decided to build Eisenberg in a most impressive manner: he placed it on top of a high mountain and surrounded the main castle with an exceedingly high curtain wall which gave the impression of a huge tower. The two residential houses together with the kitchen and chapel leaned against the inside of the curtain wall. The ground to the south of the main castle was covered by the outer castle, with access to the main castle from the east; later to be walled up, but still visible.

In 1382 the nobles of Hohenegg sold their castle to Austria, which by then was a more reliable partner than anybody else around. In 1390 Austria made Frederic of Freyberg constable of the castle whose eldest son built the neighbouring castle of Hohenfreyberg in 1418-32. Though the defences of the castle were strengthened around 1500, the castle was conquered without any effort in 1525 in the course of the German Peasants' War by local peasants who damaged the castle badly.

Nevertheless the castle was rebuilt ten years later in a sumptuous way by Werner Volker of Freyberg after receiving high compensation payments from the peasants. He improved the living luxury immensely by erecting a new stair tower and adding a bakery, a bath and several mured toilets to the curtain wall. Also the main castle got a new main gate towards the west.

The end of the castle came on the 15 September 1646, shortly before the end of the Thirty Years' War, when the Austrians burnt their own castles of Eisenberg, Freyberg and Falkenstein in a policy of scorched earth. in the 1980s the 'Burgenverein Eisenberg' and the community of Eisenberg restored the fabric and established a small museum in the center of Zell.

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Address

Pfronten, Germany
See all sites in Pfronten

Details

Founded: 1313
Category: Castles and fortifications in Germany
Historical period: Habsburg Dynasty (Germany)

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Nico Schumann (17 months ago)
A small castle ruin with an incredible 360 ​​view. Just a few meters away (about 50 m) is a very good restaurant and a hotel.
Aleenia (18 months ago)
What an awesome place to chill out and enjoy a summer afternoon! There is nothing really „to do“ when you reach the top except enjoy the spectacular views of the mountains including the Zugspitze, which is Germany‘s highest peak and several lakes. The ruins are nothing special but the Burg Hotel and restaurant are! We did not eat or stay there but we may in the future since it looked so luxurious. There‘s seating at the restaurant as well as „adventure“ seating on a cliff‘s ledge. You can hike or drive up the private road. Since it is only one narrow lane please mind the strict defined times to drive up/down. Cost is €4 which is OK considering the maintenance. To hike/bike up may be considered strenuous depending on the temperature and your level of fitness.
Sara Woldemichael (2 years ago)
Very nice view. Beware when driving back- only first ten minutes of the hour (I’m not kidding
M Talha Siddiqui (2 years ago)
The view was great however the window to drive in very small they should make it 50 percent
Paul Abromeit (paul.photographyy) (2 years ago)
Incredible view, definitely worth the tiring, half an hour/hour climb to the ruin, on the hiking path! There is also a nice looking restaurant, hotel and a well-build road to the top.
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