エストリンゲンの天然記念物・トップ20

Menzingen Castle is a Renaissance-era moated castle located in Kraichtal-Menzingen in the Karlsruhe district. Dating back to the Middle Ages, the castle was rebuilt by the Lords of Mentzingen in the 16th century and destroyed during World War II. The castle ruins are privately owned and not open to the public. An information board with a good view of the ruins is located at the rest area outside.

The way up to Ottilienberg leads along a small steep path.

A new consecration and thus a new building of the chapel is recorded from the period around 1462/65. It probably consisted of the present choir with the beautiful star vault and the tower with antechamber and sacristy extension. A few years later, the current ruined nave was probably added. From earlier times, a "forest brother" or hermit is believed to have lived in the building next to the chapel. During the Reformation, all the sculptures were destroyed and the chapel closed. The "forest brother" became a "forest servant". The chapel survived the Thirty Years' War unscathed. In connection with the expansion of the Eppingen lines in 1695 - 1697, the chapel tower was given the function of a charter and was raised. In the 18th century, pilgrimages to the chapel ruins were again made from Eppingen. In 1771, the chapel was still completely intact, but without a roof. Due to agricultural use, the nave was demolished in the 19th century, except for a remnant in the west. In the last days of the war in 1945, the property next to the chapel was destroyed and the chapel was set on fire. In 1955, the city undertook extensive renovation and restoration of the chapel ruins. (Source: www.kath-eppingen.de)

The moated castle has something of a fairytale castle

Once a month - usually on the first Sunday of the month from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. - the German Alpine Club, Eppingen district group, opens and manages the Ottilienberg tower.

The DAV Eppingen local group's hiking hut is currently open on the first Sunday of every month, whatever the weather.

Very nicely laid out castle park with plenty to see from sculptures to the lake, the castle itself, just enjoy the peace and quiet.

The castle park is very nicely laid out. Sculptures by the artist Görtz can be admired there. It is particularly beautiful at Whitsun during the Festival of Lights.