Location: Schloßplatz 10, Meersburg, Baden-Württemberg Map
Construction: 7th century
Tel. 07532/ 80 00 0
Open: March- Oct 9am- 6:30pm
Nov- Feb 10am- 6pm
Burg Meersburg or Alte Burg ("Old Castle") is located above Meersburg, Baden-Württemberg region of Germany. The construction of Burg Meersburg castle began in the 7th century, but overtime it grew in size and complexity. Between 1841 and 1848 it was home to Annette von Droste- Hulshoff, famous German poet who also died here on 24 May 1848. The castle was opened to the public in the 19th century. Today over 35 rooms are reconstructed in their original appearance and are open to tourists. This includes Knights' Hall, dungeon, North Bastion, castle kitchen, torture chamber, the armoury and many others. Castle has a small shop with a large selection of weapons replicas. Some are full sized while others are made in children's' size. Additionally there is a small restaurant within walls of the baroque hall of Burg Meersburg.
A previously assumed first mention of
Meersburg in an original lost document of Otto III. of August 27,
988 (MG. DD. O. III. 446‒448, No. 46) is more related to Merseburg
according to recent research and in this case is ruled out for the
early days of the castle (and the place) Meersburg.
There are
two theories about the building of the Meersburg. The first names
the Merovingian king Dagobert I as the builder of the
"Dagobertsturm", the keep of the Meersburg, in 630. It is known that
Dagobert was in the Lake Constance region at this time and dealt
there with the Christianization of the Alemanni. A source from 1548
serves as evidence for this theory; since then it has been
represented primarily by Joseph von Laßberg, who bought the castle
in 1837 and lived there until 1855. The "Merdesburch" was first
mentioned in 1147. A Luitpolt de Merdesburch was first mentioned in
1113 as a witness in a donation by the dukes Berthold and Konrad von
Zähringen to the monastery of St. Peter in the Black Forest.
The megalithic ashlar masonry of the Dagobertsturm with numerous
mountain tidings from the 12th to 13th centuries is historically
architectural. Century to compare the region; According to modern
studies of this type, the masonry association made of large boulders
can be seen as a local variant of the humpback ashlar masonry.
The second theory is based primarily on the observation that no
castles were founded in the Lake Constance region in the 7th
century, but a striking number in the 12th and early 13th centuries.
As mentioned earlier, architectural similarities to the 12th and
13th century castles can be found in the area. The assumption that
the facility was earlier but destroyed has existed since Joseph von
Laßberg, but cannot be supported.
The assumption that Karl
Martell could have lived in the Dagobertsturm for a short time can
therefore be referred to the realm of legends.
In the next
few years, Friedrich II and Konradin, the last legitimate male
Staufer before his sinking in Naples, were found in the Meersburg.
From the middle of the
13th century the castle was owned by the prince-bishops of
Constance. In 1233 Meersburg received the town charter of the weekly
market. The city then flourished, and the lower city was expanded by
landfills around 1300.
Meersburg has been the scene of sieges
several times, for example in the "bishop's feud" of 1334, in which
two bishops fought for office after a double election. While
Nikolaus von Frauenfeld, also known as Nikolaus von Kenzingen, was
elected by the papal-minded majority of the cathedral chapter and
supported by Pope Johannes XXII. found, his rival Albrecht von
Hohenberg was supported by Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian. Nikolaus von
Frauenfeld holed up in the castle for fourteen weeks, besieged by
imperial troops, which ultimately had to withdraw without success.
During this siege, according to various sources, fire artillery was
used for the first time on German soil. Nikolaus von Frauenfeld,
loyal to the Pope, was finally recognized by the emperor. Emperor
Ludwig the Bavarian had to accept a political defeat before
Meersburg, which impaired his Swabian policy and not least
strengthened the position of the Habsburgs.
In 1414 Emperor
Sigismund stayed at the castle on the occasion of the Constance
Council. In 1458 there was a riot between the townspeople and the
bishop about an extension of the town charter, which was suppressed.
The tower owes the stepped gable to Constance prince-bishop Hugo
von Hohenlandenberg (term of office 1496–1532), who established his
permanent residence here in 1526 after conflicts with the city of
Constance. The Meersburg became the temporary headquarters of the
bishops. In 1647 the Swedes set fire to the roof during the Thirty
Years War.
At the beginning of the 18th century, the bishops
finally began building the New Palace as a modern residence. After
1750 the castle was only used for administrative purposes.
Due to the secularization of 1802, Meersburg fell to the later Grand Duchy of Baden. Initially, the provincial authority of the "Upper Principality by the Lake" used the old castle. In 1814, the old castle only housed the principal collection and the apartments of four retired prince-bishop sub-officials. From 1814 to 1836 the newly established court court of the Baden Seekreis was housed there, a branch of the Donaueschingen court.
The collector of medieval writings and books
Joseph von Laßberg acquired the Meersburg after lengthy negotiations
for 10,000 guilders in February / March 1838 from the domain chamber
in Karlsruhe and moved on September 7, 1838 with his wife Maria Anna
von Droste to Hülshoff, also called Jenny, and his twin children. He
kept his collection in the vaulted bright hall, the former archive,
and set up his study and writing room in the adjoining round room
(tower room). Von Laßberg saved the old castle from decay by buying
it.
In 1841 Jenny's sister Annette von Droste-Hülshoff moved
into the castle and spent part of the last eight years of her life
there. She dedicated the poem from 1841/42 "Das Alte Schloss" to the
castle ("I live on the mountain at the castle, the blue lake below
me ..."). She died on May 24, 1848 in the castle.
After the
death of Joseph von Laßberg in 1855, one quarter each of the castle
went to his heirs Jenny, Karl, Hildegard and Hildegund. Ultimately,
the twin daughters Hildegard and Hildegund sold the old castle for
12,000 marks in 1877 to Carl Mayer von Mayerfels from Munich, who
set up a medieval museum. After the death of von Meyerfels in 1883
the castle passed to his widow, then in 1910 to his daughter and
after her death in 1939 to her daughter Maria Naeßl, née. by Miller.
In 1973 Wilderich von Droste zu Hülshoff lived there. To this day,
the castle is privately owned and - in addition to the museum that
is open to visitors - serves the heirs as a residence.
The tour of the castle museum gives an insight into more than 30 furnished rooms. Including the old castle kitchen, the Dürnitz, the palas, the well room, the armory, battlements, knight's hall, castle dungeon, two chapels, stable, north bastion and much more. The living rooms and the death room of the poet Annette von Droste-Hülshoff are also included in this tour. As part of a guided tour, it is also possible to climb the “Dagobert Tower” with a view of the city, the lake and the Alps. In the tower you can see a prison room from the 19th century and the Renaissance hall with treasury. In the deepest part of the tower the torture chamber gives an insight into the judiciary in the Middle Ages.
At the beginning of the 1990s, 75% of the roof of the east building
was re-covered.
In 2018 the basic plaster on the south side
of the castle was renewed. The plaster was kept soft so that the
moisture can escape from the wall to the outside. A drainage was
installed in the castle garden and the battlements were prepared. In
2019 the windows on the south side including the sandstone walls
will be renovated. The final plaster is applied.
Overall Layout and Character
The castle is a
complex, layered structure that evolved over centuries rather than a
single planned fortress. It feels like "two castles in one": a rugged
medieval core and later residential/administrative additions. The
complex includes a prominent central keep (the Dagobertturm), multiple
towers (including round ones), defensive walls, a drawbridge entrance,
and an extensive interior with over 35 furnished rooms open to visitors
as a museum. Parts remain privately inhabited.
The architecture
blends defensive medieval elements with later domestic and stylistic
refinements. Thick stone walls (up to nearly 3 meters in places),
irregular layouts following the rock, and a mix of Romanesque, Gothic,
Renaissance, and some Baroque influences define it. It was never
conquered despite sieges, underscoring its robust design.
Key
Architectural Features
Dagobertturm (Dagobert's Tower / Central
Keep):
This is the visual and historical centerpiece. The base
features large, roughly squared stones that could date to the 7th
century (Merovingian) or more likely the 12th–early 13th century
(Romanesque period). The tower's current form is primarily
Romanesque/medieval. A distinctive crow-stepped gable (stepped roofline)
was added in the late 15th/early 16th century by Prince-Bishop Hugo von
Hohenlandenberg. This creates a striking silhouette visible from the
lake. The tower served as the primary defensive keep.
Exterior
and Defensive Elements:
Towers and Walls: Round towers with conical
or red-tiled roofs, battlemented walls, and stepped gables. The
structure follows the natural rock formation for strength.
Entrance:
Accessed via a drawbridge, leading into the medieval heart.
Materials: Local stone (including molasse rock in lower sections),
timber framing in upper/attic areas, and red-tiled roofs.
Overall
Style: Primarily medieval fortress with later residential expansions. It
has a somewhat irregular, organic appearance due to phased construction
on uneven terrain.
Interior Spaces (highlights from the museum
tour):
Guards' Room (Dürnitz): One of the oldest parts, with
extremely thick walls (~3m) creating deep window embrasures. This
reflects early medieval defensive priorities.
Knight's Hall (Palas /
Fürstensaal): A grand socializing and ceremonial space, decorated in a
13th-century style (Gothic influences). It features high ceilings,
wooden beams, and period furnishings or displays.
Hohenstaufengang: A
corridor built directly into the molasse rock, highlighting integration
with the natural geology.
Kitchen, Bakery, and Service Areas:
Reconstructed or furnished to show medieval/early modern daily life,
with tools, hearths, etc.
Armoury / Weapons Hall: Displays of armor,
weapons, and military artifacts.
Dungeon / Torture Chamber:
Illustrates medieval justice and security.
Droste Rooms: Associated
with the poet Annette von Droste-Hülshoff (who lived here 1841–1848).
These include her study and deathbed room, offering a 19th-century
literary layer with period furniture.
Other Rooms: Bathing room,
prince-bishops’ hall, bedrooms, and various living quarters showing
evolution from spartan medieval to more comfortable episcopal use.
Corridors and Attics: Narrow passages, including one along a former
defensive wall; creaky wooden attics with multiple windows.
Garden and Views: A romantic garden offers scenic overlooks of Lake
Constance and the Swiss mountains.
Architectural Evolution and
Styles
Early Medieval/Romanesque (11th–13th centuries): Core
defensive structures, thick walls, basic keep. Likely built or
significantly expanded in the 12th century on possibly earlier
foundations.
Gothic Influences (13th–15th centuries): Halls and some
interior features; fortifications strengthened during bishopric
conflicts.
Renaissance/Early Modern (late 15th–17th centuries):
Stepped gable on the tower; residential upgrades under prince-bishops.
Hugo von Hohenlandenberg made it the primary residence after 1526.
Later Periods: 18th-century shifts toward the adjacent Baroque Neues
Schloss (New Castle) reduced the Alte Burg's role to administration.
19th-century private ownership added museum elements and Romantic-era
appeal.
The castle's strength lay in its strategic position and
adaptive construction rather than pure symmetry or ornamentation. It
prioritizes defensibility first, with comfort layered on over time.
Current State
Today, it functions as a museum with self-guided
tours (aided by QR codes or guides in multiple languages). The mix of
original architecture, period furnishings, dioramas, and artifacts gives
visitors a vivid sense of knightly life, episcopal rule, and
19th-century literary history. Parts are still occupied, preserving its
"inhabited" status.
Practical Visiting Information (as of 2026)
Opening
Hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM (April–October), last admission 30
minutes before closing. November–March: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Special
shorter hours around Christmas/New Year.
Ticket Prices (standard):
Adults: €12.80
Adolescents (14–18 with ID): €10.00
Children
(6–13): €8.00
Reduced (seniors, students, disabled): €11.50
Bodensee Card PLUS: Free one-time entry
Family discounts often
available.
Tickets: Bought on-site at the visitor center opposite
the entrance (no advance online booking). A small extra fee may apply
for a printed guide booklet.
Duration: Allow 1–1.5 to 2 hours for a
relaxed visit (recommended ~90 minutes).
What to Expect and
Highlights Inside
The castle is a living museum with over 30–35
furnished rooms. You cross an old drawbridge and explore at your own
pace. Key areas include:
Knight’s Hall (Rittersaal) and other grand
chambers with period furniture, frescoes, and armor displays.
Armory
with weapons and suits of armor.
Kitchen, bakery, and servants’ areas
showing everyday medieval life.
Dungeon, torture chamber (with
historical instruments), and defensive features — atmospheric and
kid-friendly for many.
Living quarters, bedrooms, bathrooms spanning
different eras.
Room dedicated to poet Annette von Droste-Hülshoff,
who lived here in the 19th century.
Towers and battlements with
panoramic views over Lake Constance and the Alps (weather permitting).
Garden/Burggarten area for strolling.
The self-guided tour
features information panels (many in English and German). English audio
guides or printed booklets are usually available. Guided tours (in
German/English) are possible on request for an extra fee but not always
necessary.
The castle feels atmospheric and "creepy in a good way"
with creaky floors, historical artifacts, and a mix of defense-focused
medieval history and later residential use. Part of it remains
inhabited.
In-Depth Visiting Tips
Best Time to Visit:
Early
morning (opens at 10 AM) or late afternoon to avoid peak crowds,
especially in summer.
Shoulder seasons (spring/fall) are quieter and
beautiful with vineyard surroundings.
Check for special events like
"Belebte Burg" (living history weekends April–October), candlelight
tours, or falconry displays.
Getting There:
Meersburg is
charming with steep, narrow streets and stairs from the lakeside (lower
town) to the upper town/castle. Wear comfortable shoes — the approach
involves uphill walking.
Parking is limited in the old town; use
larger pay parking lots (e.g., around €6 for the day). The castle is
walkable from ferry terminals or the town center.
Combine with the
nearby Neues Schloss (New Castle, baroque style) on the same square for
contrast.
Accessibility and Practicalities:
Not fully
wheelchair accessible due to stairs, towers, and historic layout (check
specifics on-site).
Strollers may be challenging in narrow passages.
There is a café in the castle (open same hours) with terrace views —
great for coffee, cake, or wine. A mini €2 ticket allows café access
without full tour.
Gift shop near the entrance has souvenirs,
including kid-oriented items like wooden swords (prices can be high).
With Kids: Very engaging — armor, weapons, dungeon, and dressing-up
potential appeal to children. Family tickets help with cost. The
self-paced nature works well.
Photography and Weather: Great photo
ops from the walls and garden. Interiors may be dimly lit. Bring layers
— it can be cooler inside thick stone walls even in summer.
Other
Advice:
No need to book ahead; just show up.
Combine with a Lake
Constance ferry ride (e.g., from Konstanz) for scenic arrival.
Respect that parts are private residences.
Allow time to explore
Meersburg’s old town, vineyards, and lakeside promenade afterward.