Nesselburg Castle

The historic Nesselburg Castle is a castle ruin worth seeing, located on a foothill of the Alpspitz in the Ostallgäuer municipality of Nesselwang. The remains of the shield wall castle, which is rare in Allgäu, can be viewed on a varied excursion into the beautiful mountain nature, which will not only delight castle lovers.

Nature lovers, families with children and holidaymakers interested in history should not miss a trip to the Nesselburg castle ruins in Nesselwang. In addition to visiting the castle, you can also look forward to wonderful landscape impressions, culinary delights in a mountain hut and lots of fun. The starting point for exploring the Nesselburg is the Alpspitze, which is accessible by the Alpspitzbahn - a 1575 meter high mountain that offers numerous leisure activities all year round. In winter it is home to an attractive ski area and in the warmer months it attracts hikers, hang gliders and paragliders and families with children. There are numerous entertainment options for the little ones, such as a summer toboggan run, a petting zoo and a games paradise. The valley station of the Alpspitzbahn can be reached via the A7 motorway and the “Nesselwang / Rückholz” exit. There are sufficient parking spaces available here.

There are various ways to get to the Nesselburg castle ruins. Particularly recommended is the route that leads from the Alpspitzbahn car park in an easterly direction to Gasthof Sonnenbichl. There is a path marker here that indicates the waterfall path. This adventure trail leads slowly uphill through fascinating mountain nature to the Nesselwang waterfall. Next to this, a wooden path was built that the excursionists climb while the water rushes into the depths next to them. From the wooden path there are always wonderful views of the vast foothills of the Alps around Nesselwang. When you reach the end of the path, you will see a sign that shows you the way to Nesselburg. This can now be reached in just a few minutes on foot.

The Nesselburg castle ruins are one of the Allgäu rare shield wall castles that are particularly common in the Palatinate. The castle was built at the end of 13. Century on behalf of the noble Lords of Rettenberg, who, however, gave it to the Bishopric of Augsburg a little later. He used the castle as the center of a nursing office. During the Peasants' War, the Nesselburg was looted and set on fire. The Augsburg carers and bailiffs quickly made it habitable again, towards the end of the 16. However, in the 19th century it was destroyed again by fire. From 1595 the ruin was uninhabited and continued to fall into disrepair. End of 20. At the turn of the century, a private individual bought it and initiated careful renovation measures. Today, remains of the characteristic shield wall as well as ditches and traces of the terrain of the Nesselburg remain. The castle complex included a rectangular palace, which was separated from the rising slope by a moat, the massive shield wall as well as a small castle courtyard and a narrow castle gate. Even though the castle ruins are now quite overgrown, they are still well worth seeing.

After exploring the Nesselburg castle ruins, we recommend taking a walk to the middle station of the Alpspitzbahn. Here is the rustic Enzianstüble, which spoils its guests with delicious Allgäu dishes that can be enjoyed with a view of the magnificent mountains. You can then go down into the valley on a rapid ride on the longest summer toboggan run, the Allgäu, or at a more leisurely pace on the Alpspitzbahn.

A trip to the Nesselburg castle ruins promises varied impressions and lots of fun for the whole family. A successful day of vacation is definitely guaranteed.