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Burg Schnellenberg today

Germany · Restored

Burg Schnellenberg

Schnellenberg Castle is a hilltop fortress above the Bigge valley in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The complex combines an upper castle (Oberburg) with a later outer bailey and service ranges and has been owned by the von Fürstenberg family since 1594; it now houses a hotel and restaurant.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1694

Today

Restored

As it stood in 1694

What Burg Schnellenberg looked like in its prime.

Perched on a wooded spur above the Bigge valley, the castle reads as a three-part stone complex: a compact upper castle with a prominent square tower capped by a baroque roofline, and a lower outer bailey formed by long, low stone ranges and curtain walls with smaller corner towers. Walls are grey masonry; roofs are steep, slate-covered pitches and hipped shapes. Terraced grounds, garden enclosures and a sequence of fish ponds lie on the slope below. At prime the whole ensemble is complete and occupied.

Its story

The story of Burg Schnellenberg.

Schnellenberg Castle, said to be the largest hilltop castle in the Sauerland, was first mentioned in 1222. It was begun at the direction of Archbishop Engelbert von Berg of Cologne, at the same time as the town fortifications of Attendorn, to secure the Heidenstraße, a significant trade route crossing the Bigge, with the Counts von der Mark granted two fiefs within the castle.

Expanded after 1291 under Johann von Plettenberg, the castle changed hands in 1339, when a deed records his son Heidenrich handing "Schnellenberg Castle, built by my deceased father" to Archbishop Walram of Cologne, together with the jurisdiction over Attendorn. The archbishops then installed castle guards, among them the Vogt von Elspe family, whose widow Grete was licensed in 1411 to build a house within the castle.

In 1594 the castle was acquired by Kaspar von Fürstenberg, a loyal Catholic who had opposed his sovereign when the Cologne Elector, Gebhardt Truchsess von Waldburg, converted to Protestantism. Kaspar spent over twelve years on reconstruction and in 1607 moved his residence from Bilstein Castle to Schnellenberg. The castle has remained with the von Fürstenberg family ever since, and today houses a hotel and restaurant, with its 16th-century Renaissance chapel, Gobelin Hall and Knights Hall intact.

Step inside

10 places to explore in 1694.

The record describes 10 distinct spots at Burg Schnellenberg, including 5 interiors: outer bailey courtyard, st george's chapel (interior), knights hall (interior) and more. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Valley approach and outer bailey (exterior)Outer bailey courtyardLower gate and corner watchtowerApproach to the upper castle (Oberburg)Main square tower and residential range (exterior)St George's Chapel (interior)Knights Hall (interior)Gobelin Hall (former ceremonial hall / present restaurant)Treasure chamber and underground cellarTerraced gardens and fish ponds

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Whose castle

Clans who held Burg Schnellenberg.

The families that held Burg Schnellenberg for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Plettenberg

    Built by Johann von Plettenberg after 1291; his son Heidenrich ceded the castle to the Archbishop of Cologne in 1339.

  • Fürstenberg

    Held by the von Fürstenberg family since 1594, when Kaspar von Fürstenberg acquired and rebuilt the castle.

Questions about Burg Schnellenberg

What is the history of Burg Schnellenberg?

Burg Schnellenberg began in the 13th century as a fortified position securing the Heidenstraße, a significant trade route crossing the Bigge near Attendorn. Archbishop Engelbert von Berg of Cologne directed its construction in 1222, and Johann von Plettenberg strengthened it around 1291. Kaspar von Fürstenberg acquired the castle in 1594, rebuilt it over more than twelve years and moved his residence there in 1607.

Why was Burg Schnellenberg built, and what was it used for?

Burg Schnellenberg was built to secure the Heidenstraße, a significant trade route crossing the Bigge near Attendorn. It was also connected with the fortification of Attendorn and included two fiefs granted to the Counts von der Mark. After its medieval defensive role, the castle was reconstructed as a Renaissance residence and later developed into a three-part complex with guest rooms and stables.

What is inside Burg Schnellenberg?

Burg Schnellenberg contains an outer-bailey courtyard, St George's Chapel, the Knights Hall, the Gobelin Hall and an underground cellar. The Gobelin Hall, formerly a ceremonial hall, is now used as a restaurant, while the chapel retains its Mannerist interior, including wooden galleries, carved and stone work, paintings and an altar. A treasure chamber with historical artefacts is also preserved.

Where is Burg Schnellenberg?

Burg Schnellenberg is a hilltop fortress above the Biggetal valley near Attendorn in North Rhine-Westphalia. It stands on a wooded spur in the Olpe district, between the Biggesee and Attendorn. The castle overlooks the Bigge valley and is located in the administrative area of Attendorn.

When was Burg Schnellenberg built?

Burg Schnellenberg was established in the 13th century, with 1222 given as the year it was built and first mentioned. Its history includes several building phases: Johann von Plettenberg strengthened it around 1291, Kaspar von Fürstenberg reconstructed it from 1594, and the large outer bailey was built between 1687 and 1694.

Which family or clan held Burg Schnellenberg?

The Plettenberg family held Burg Schnellenberg after Johann von Plettenberg strengthened it around 1291. His son Heidenrich ceded the castle to the Archbishop of Cologne in 1339. The von Fürstenberg family acquired it in 1594 and has held it since then.

What did Burg Schnellenberg look like in its prime?

At its prime in 1694, Burg Schnellenberg was a complete, occupied three-part stone complex. The compact upper castle had a prominent square tower with a baroque roofline, while the lower outer bailey consisted of long, low grey-stone ranges, curtain walls and smaller corner towers. Steep slate roofs, terraced grounds, garden enclosures and fish ponds completed the ensemble.

Is Burg Schnellenberg still standing or is it a ruin?

Burg Schnellenberg is still standing and has been restored rather than reduced to a ruin. Its surviving complex includes the upper castle, the later outer bailey, service ranges, watchtowers, stone archways, chapel and historic interior rooms. The 16th-century Renaissance chapel remains intact, and the current three-part structure was established by 1686.

Does anyone live at Burg Schnellenberg?

Yes, people live at Burg Schnellenberg: five residents were recorded there on 31 December 2025. The castle also houses a hotel and restaurant, and the von Fürstenberg family no longer uses it as its main residence, having moved that residence to Herdringen Castle.

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