バックナングの洞窟・トップ20

The castle is not open to the public. Guided tours are occasionally available on Sundays (€10). Dates are published in the press. Registration is required by phone.

The hilltop castle was built between 1230 and 1231 by Margrave Hermann V of Baden, who, like his brother, was a loyal supporter of the Hohenstaufen Emperor Frederick II. It is said to have been closely related to Ebersberg Castle, built at the same time in what is now the Auenwald forest, and the upper castle in Besigheim. The dimensions, furnishings, and existing stonemasonry marks of the three castles are identical. In the Middle Ages, administrative centers were usually located in castles. Reichenberg Castle, for example, was also a so-called ministerial castle. The knights Wolfram and Berthold von Reichenberg are mentioned as early as 1230. Reichenberg was therefore the official seat and thus also the administrative center of the surrounding areas. From 1293 onwards, the Sturmfeder von Oppenweiler family resided in the castle as ministerials. In the 19th century, the castle was the seat of the forestry office of the Kingdom of Württemberg, among others. Karl von Schiller, a son of Friedrich Schiller, worked there as a district forester from 1822 to 1833. In 1888, the castle was leased to the Samaritan Foundation, which operated a social facility there to care for people with disabilities. In 1929, the Samaritan Foundation acquired Grafeneck Castle near Gomadingen and relocated the home there. In 1930, the castle was leased to the Evangelical Society of Stuttgart, which operated a shelter for Stuttgart prostitutes there until the 1950s, as prostitution had increased sharply in Stuttgart due to the general hardship after the First World War. The Evangelical Society of Stuttgart subsequently converted the castle back into a residential home for people with disabilities.

Access to the interior of the castle restaurant is free. However, an entrance fee may be charged to visit the garden restaurant. This is always the case when the falconry housed in the castle is giving a flight demonstration. These take place regularly at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

This effort is rewarded with a wonderful view

Little is known about the origins of Beilstein, but it is assumed that it was a castle settlement that developed at the foot of the castle hill in the High Middle Ages. Around 1150 a Dietrich von Beilstein is mentioned, in 1231 a Count Berthold von Beilstein appears. Excavation finds suggest that the first Romanesque fortifications were built around 1070–1080. Beilstein was already mentioned as a town in 1304. The city suffered heavily during the 30 Years' War, in which it was looted and burned down several times.

Good bike path up to the castle. Route through the vineyards, little to no traffic. Steep approach, which is worthwhile. Once at the top, there is a great view. By the way, you can watch great sunsets from there!

A castle with an ornithological station and demonstration

You can only sit in the garden restaurant from 12.00 p.m., then the bird of prey flight show is over. However, that is again in the afternoon.