CASTLE GUTTENBERG
Staufer Castle of Falcons and Knights on the Neckar
A
number of castles in central Germany are referred to as Staufer castles.
The Staufen or Hoehenstaufen dynasty of German kings consolidated fiefdoms
reaching all the way from the Rhine into Northern Italy in what was called
the Holy Roman Empire by the most famous second of the line, Frederick
Barbarossa. The core of the Staufen emperors' domains were the regions of northern
Bavaria, modern Baden-Wuerttemberg and the Rhine Palatine. Many of their castles were built in a typical
German form called "Schildmauerburg" consisting of a singular high-walled
parapet with living quarters built around an inner
courtyard, often protected by a moat
or draw. Castle Guttenberg over- looking the Neckar River valley is one
of the best examples surviving of the era, having
been continuously occupied for 600 years. The Neckar River, once flowing
wild through the mountain valleys from Heidelberg to Heilbronn has long
been tamed by a series of control channels so that it flows
smooth
and lazy for freight barges and smaller tour ferries which now travel
through the Neckartal.
Perched
on a wooded slope above the Neckar with a clear view of the valley below
the Castle Guttenberg stands watch with its distinctive walls of
pale yellow over the north approach to the city of Bad Wimphen where
the imperial palace of the Staufen once stood (see Bad Wimpfen). The castle of Burg Guttenberg
was first constructed as a defensive fortress by the Staufer kings. After
the end of the dynasty, the castle was bought by Hans Von Gemmingen known
as Hans “The Rich”, who apparently had enough coin in his
pocket to pick up a few pieces of choice real estate from the empire
as it broke again into smaller fiefdoms. The Castle of Guttenberg has been
lived in continuously by the von Gemmingen family ever since and has avoided
the destruction decay of the other castle of the von Gemmingen family,
Burg Hornberg (see Castle
Hotel and Restaurant Burg Hornberg).
The
Castle Guttenberg is one of the most popular destinations in the Neckar
Valley (Neckartal) for families and medieval enthusiasts, especially
for its falcon
shows and “Knights Faires” of medieval performances. As you cross the
stone bridge replacing the former drawbridge over the dry moat to the castle
gate,
a
stone
eagle perches on watch as you pass the aviaries of the German Raptor Research
Center
(Greifenwarte)
where you can tour the cages of breeding birds of prey or watch
demonstrations
of the power and beauty of falcons, eagles and even the much maligned
vulture presented against a beautiful backdrop of the Neckar and Mühlbach
valleys.
Inside
the castle walls the Burg Guttenberg maintains a museum of family and historic
artifacts. The exhibit of "Living in a Knight's Castle" takes
visitors on a trip from the middle ages to the 19th century with examples of
knights in armor, religious reformers, warlords and hunters who influenced the
times. A tour of the old castle’s kitchen, torture chamber and the old
defensive tower is offered, quite often given by the current Baroness von Gemmingen,
who will proudly show the family’s legacy. The castle is open from April
to October, but tours can be privately arranged at other times. On weekends the
Knights Faires allow visitors to experience life in medieval times.
Unlike
the other von Gemmingen castle across the river, there is no accommodation
within the castle itself
but
a small hotel in the village of Neckarmülbach
at the foot of the hill below the castle, offers a stay in a refurbished
historic building. The inn Zum Alten Marstall seems
a popular stop for cyclists along the Neckar castle road route (see German
Castle Road)
or families looking for a more medieval fun experience. There are private
rooms
and what
is known
in Germany as a middle ages "Hay Hotel" (Heuherberge). In olden
days, wandering travelers would "hit the hay" laying down for
a night on a pile of straw. Now, spots are provided for a sleeping bag. Breakfast is included.
Castle
Guttenberg is sometimes listed as being in Heidelberg but is actually about
an hour away in Hassmersheim-Neckarmuhlbach. There is a landing on
the Neckar and the nearest train station is at Gundelsheim. By car
Castle Gutenberg can be reached along the 37/27 following the Neckar
River from Heidelberg or off the A6 autobahn, 30 minutes from Heilbronn. © Bargain
Travel Europe
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Burg
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See Also:
DARMSTADT FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE RUINS
SINSHEIM AUTO & TECHNIK MUSEUM
BURG
TRAUSNITZ MEDIEVAL CASTLE LANDSHUT
