Who built Achalm Castle?

The fortress was built between 1030 and 1050 by Counts Egino and Rudolf of Achalm, whose family line died out shortly after, in 1098.

Why is Achalm Castle in ruins?

It was rendered defenseless in 1646 on the orders of Archduchess Claudia de' Medici, then finally demolished in 1650 and 1658 by order of Duke Eberhard III of Württemberg.

Can you climb the tower at Achalm Castle?

Yes, an internal steel staircase leads up to an observation platform atop the tower built in the 19th century.

How do you get to Achalm Castle?

It is reached on foot from the Scheibengipfel hiking car park, via marked trails leading to the hilltop.

Since when has the city of Reutlingen owned Achalm Castle?

The city was only able to purchase the hill in 2009, after several failed attempts dating back to 1950.

Achalm Castle

Reutlingen

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Where: Reutlingen

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Ruine Achalm stands in Reutlingen (Landkreis Reutlingen), in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Its opening hours and prices have not been verified at the source yet.

Achalm Castle ruins crown a hilltop above Reutlingen in Baden-Württemberg, on the very spot where Counts Egino and Rudolf of Achalm raised a fortress between 1030 and 1050. Portions of the medieval enclosure wall and the remains of the fortified gate still stand, but the most conspicuous feature today is the lookout tower built in the 19th century on the foundations of the old keep. A steel staircase inside leads up to a platform giving open views over the town and the edge of the Swabian Alb.

Written from Achalm Castle

What to know

The site is reached on foot from the Scheibengipfel hiking car park, as the ruin sits atop a hill.
Marked hiking trails cross the area, including the Burgenwanderweg Neckar-Donau of the Schwäbischer Albverein.
The roughly fifteen-metre lookout tower is climbed via an internal steel staircase to an outdoor viewing platform.
Following a 2017 incident that damaged the masonry around a tower window, access was temporarily restricted before being reopened.
No opening hours, admission fees or accessibility arrangements are published for this site, which is freely accessible via the hiking paths.

Where this château is

Reutlingen · Landkreis Reutlingen · Baden-Württemberg

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

72766 Reutlingen

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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Château phone number

+49 7121 93935353

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4.7 / 5from 665 Google reviews

Heritage status: Protection status unknown

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Frequently asked

Who built Achalm Castle?: The fortress was built between 1030 and 1050 by Counts Egino and Rudolf of Achalm, whose family line died out shortly after, in 1098.
Why is Achalm Castle in ruins?: It was rendered defenseless in 1646 on the orders of Archduchess Claudia de' Medici, then finally demolished in 1650 and 1658 by order of Duke Eberhard III of Württemberg.
Can you climb the tower at Achalm Castle?: Yes, an internal steel staircase leads up to an observation platform atop the tower built in the 19th century.
How do you get to Achalm Castle?: It is reached on foot from the Scheibengipfel hiking car park, via marked trails leading to the hilltop.
Since when has the city of Reutlingen owned Achalm Castle?: The city was only able to purchase the hill in 2009, after several failed attempts dating back to 1950.