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Katzenstein Castle today

Germany · Restored

Katzenstein Castle

Burg Katzenstein

Katzenstein Castle is a hilltop medieval castle in the Dischingen borough of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is one of the older Hohenstaufen-era castles and today is open to visitors and used in part for hospitality (dining and guest rooms).

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

First raised

1099

Its prime

1250

Today

Restored

As it stood in 1250

What Katzenstein Castle looked like in its prime.

Compact hilltop castle set above a small valley, dominated by a tall, square stone bergfried (keep) that rises noticeably above the surrounding buildings. A long rectangular residential block with steep red-tiled roofs and regularly spaced dormer windows abuts the keep; a lower outer curtain wall and an elongated service wing with small slit windows extend along the crest. Walls are pale grey stone; the complex sits on a grassy, tree-scattered slope above village roofs.

Its story

The story of Katzenstein Castle.

The Lords von Cassenstein are first mentioned in 1099, a ministerial, unfree knightly family in the service of the Count von Dillingen, and Katzenstein counts among the oldest remaining Hohenstaufen castles in Germany. In 1262 the Edlen von Hürnheim were listed as owners of the castle, when it was sold by Hermann von Hürnheim-Katzenstein.

Ownership changed again in 1354, when the Count von Oettingen acquired the castle; the inheritance of the Westerstetten family was later sold back to the von Oettingen family. Privately owned since 1939, the hilltop castle in the Dischingen municipality of Baden-Württemberg is open to visitors and contains several dining rooms as well as hotel rooms.

Step inside

7 places to explore in 1250.

The record describes 7 distinct spots at Katzenstein Castle, including 2 interiors: dining rooms / great hall, st laurentius chapel (frescoed). Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach from the valley roadBergfried (keep) base and towerCurtain wall and battlementsInner courtyardDining rooms / great hallSt Laurentius chapel (frescoed)Exterior of the residential wing

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Recreate Katzenstein Castle with AI to explore it.

The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1250, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

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Whose castle

Clans who held Katzenstein Castle.

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

  • Cassenstein

    The Lords von Cassenstein, ministeriales in the service of the Count von Dillingen, are first mentioned in 1099.

  • Hürnheim

    The Edlen von Hürnheim were listed as owners in 1262, when Hermann von Hürnheim-Katzenstein sold the castle; held until 1354.

  • Oettingen

    Acquired by the Count von Oettingen in 1354; the Westerstetten inheritance was later sold back to the von Oettingen family.

Questions about Katzenstein Castle

What is the history of Katzenstein Castle?

Katzenstein Castle’s history begins in the 11th century, when the Lords von Cassenstein were first mentioned in 1099 as ministerial knights serving the Count von Dillingen. The Edlen von Hürnheim owned it in 1262, and the Count von Oettingen acquired it in 1354. French soldiers burned it in 1648, after which it was rebuilt from 1669 and later became privately owned in 1939.

What is inside Katzenstein Castle?

Katzenstein Castle contains dining rooms, a great hall and the St Laurentius chapel, which has frescoes. The chapel is a Romanesque building from the 13th century, with paintings from the transition between late Romanesque and early Gothic art. The lower defensive passage contains the Burgschänke Zum Marstall, while the upper passage has guest rooms.

Who owns Katzenstein Castle now?

Katzenstein Castle is privately owned today. It was originally a hilltop medieval castle and later served as a residence: after the 1648 fire, the rebuilt complex was expanded as the residence of Count Notger Wilhelm of Oettingen-Baldern. Its present use includes dining rooms and guest rooms.

Why was Katzenstein Castle built, and what was it used for?

Katzenstein Castle was raised as a medieval hilltop stronghold, associated with the Hohenstaufen period. Its later use changed towards residence, when the rebuilt complex was developed as a residence for Count Notger Wilhelm of Oettingen-Baldern. Today it contains dining rooms and guest rooms and is open to visitors.

Where is Katzenstein Castle?

Katzenstein Castle is in Dischingen, in Baden-Württemberg, above a tributary valley of the Egau. It stands on the Härtsfeld near the old Roman road known as the Frankensträßle. The castle is 538 metres above sea level.

When was Katzenstein Castle built?

Katzenstein Castle was first raised in 1099, placing its beginnings in the 11th century. Its development continued in later phases, including the 13th-century Romanesque chapel and the rebuilding that began in 1669 after the castle was burned in 1648.

Was Katzenstein Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Katzenstein Castle was attacked and burned by French soldiers in 1648, at the end of the Thirty Years’ War. The castle did not hold: it was burned to the ground. Reconstruction began in 1669 under Count Notger Wilhelm of Oettingen-Baldern.

Which family or clan held Katzenstein Castle?

The Lords von Cassenstein held Katzenstein Castle in its early history, and the Edlen von Hürnheim held it from 1262 until 1354. The Count von Oettingen acquired it in 1354; after the Westerstetten inheritance changed hands, it was sold back to the von Oettingen family.

What did Katzenstein Castle look like in its prime?

Katzenstein Castle is a compact hilltop complex dominated by a tall, square stone keep rising above the surrounding buildings. A long residential block with steep red-tiled roofs and regularly spaced dormer windows abuts the keep. Pale grey walls, a lower curtain wall, battlements and a service wing sit on a grassy, tree-scattered slope above village roofs.

Is Katzenstein Castle still standing or is it a ruin?

Katzenstein Castle is still standing and has been restored rather than left as a ruin. Its oldest part is the roughly 30-metre-high Romanesque bergfried, or Katzenturm, which dates from the 11th century. The complex was rebuilt after the 1648 fire, and the partly reconstructed New Castle dates from the 17th century.

Can you visit Katzenstein Castle?

Katzenstein Castle is open to visitors. It is privately owned and also contains several dining rooms and hotel rooms. The complex includes public-access features such as the St Laurentius chapel, whose medieval frescoes were discovered during cleaning that began in 1973.

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