View of Hornstein Castle Ruins

The ruin can be visited at any time. The walk takes about 5-10 minutesCoffee and homemade cakes are available every Sunday from 2 p.m.Various events, children's events, markets and cultural events take place throughout the year. (Due to corona, all events will be canceled in 2020 to 10/31).The ruin offers an event room for up to 70 people.Contact details:
Email: info@ruine-hornstein.de
Telephone: 07571-52050

The castle was owned by the knights, its first documentary mention goes back to 1244. Before that, the lords of Hornstein, already mentioned in the 11th century, were probably sitting in a castle in the Hornstein area.As the ancestral seat of the von Hornstein noble family of the same name, the castle underwent several phases of construction until it was converted into a stately baroque palace around 1700. In 1787, the Hornsteiners sold their property to the princes of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen.In 1818, the Prince of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen ordered that a Hohenzollern "breeding and correctional facility" should be established in the castle. After the renovation, the establishment started on December 14, 1818. The institutional regulations also stipulated that insane people were admitted. In 1850 the principality of Hohenzollern was annexed to Prussia. The Prussian state continued the institution, in 1859 it became a penal and correctional facility for men. The female inmates were then taken to Habsthal. The institution was closed in 1869.In 1873 the demolition plant was sold, the buildings were demolished and the walls were left to decay. Only the palace chapel was preserved, a baroque gem in which the Christian annual circle is cultivated. From 1947 to 1962 the ruin was used as an open air stage.The Förderverein Ruine Hornstein e.V. has been taking care of the monument since 1988. It is also thanks to this association that the remains have been structurally secured. Because until 1997 the old walls were carefully renovated and restored, then the cultural aspect came to the fore. [4] In 2003 the tower room above the chapel was opened to the public. It is accessible via a spiral staircase. With the support of LEADER, workshops as well as office, sanitary and storage rooms were created.

As with most of the castles, there is a great view. And a strengthening would normally also be included. The easiest way to get to the castle ruins from the village is without any problems.