Burg Prunn
High medieval cliff-top castle above the Altmühl valley near Riedenburg, where a manuscript of the Nibelungenlied was found; visits by guided tour.
About the museum
The castle sits on a limestone crag high above the Altmühl river between Riedenburg and Kelheim. A noble family named after Prunn is documented as early as 1037; the oldest surviving parts – including the keep, about 31 meters high, and the palas (great hall) – date from around 1200. In 1288 the complex passed to the dukes of Bavaria, who later gave it to the Fraunberg family. Their coat of arms, a white horse on a red ground, can still be seen at the castle; in the 15th century they had the castle extended in late Gothic style.
Prunn became famous for a manuscript discovery: in the 16th century the scholar Wiguläus Hund found a copy of the Nibelungenlied here, known as the Prunn Codex, which is now kept in the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (Bavarian State Library). From 1570 the Köckh family owned the castle and added a palace-like wing; in 1672 it passed to the Jesuits of Ingolstadt and, after the order was dissolved, to the Order of St. John.
After 1822 the castle passed to the Bavarian crown. In 1827 King Ludwig I campaigned for its preservation – an early example of state-run historic preservation in Bavaria. Today the Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung (Bavarian Palace Administration) looks after the complex, which was most recently extensively restored from 2007 to 2010. The permanent exhibition links motifs from the Nibelungenlied with the history of the castle and everyday medieval life, covering topics such as hunting, clothing, law and the role of women.
Highlights
- Setting on a crag high above the Altmühl valley
- Keep and palas from around 1200
- Exhibition on the Prunn Codex of the Nibelungenlied
- Late Gothic portals and remains of medieval wall paintings
- Castle chapel
- Founded
- 1200
- Operated by
- Bayerische Verwaltung der staatlichen Schlösser, Gärten und Seen
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6People aged 65 and over, students, people with disabilities, participants in volunteer services, groups of 15 or more paying visitors and other groups as specified in the palace administration's fee regulations |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Children and teens under 18 and adult school students (with student ID) get free admission. Children under 14 only when accompanied by an adult. |
| Seniors | €6Reduced admission from age 65 with ID. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €6companion free · Reduced admission with a severe disability ID (Schwerbehindertenausweis); a companion listed on the ID is admitted free. |
| Students & apprentices | €6Students of art history and related subjects get free admission. |
| Groups (15+ people) | €6 per personReduced price for groups of 15 or more paying visitors when the group leader buys tickets together. |
| Families | –No separate family ticket; children and teens under 18 are free. |
| Combination ticket Burg Prunn + Befreiungshalle Kelheim | €9Reduced €8 |
| Combination ticket Burg Prunn + Befreiungshalle Kelheim + Walhalla | €13Reduced €11 |
| Multi-day ticket, Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung (14 days) | €40Families/partners €80; valid for more than 40 state-owned palaces and castles |
| Annual pass, Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung | €55Families/partners €100; valid for one year from the first visit |
2026 prices; admission includes the guided tour.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: not available
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Not accessible due to historic preservation requirements: entry via an outdoor staircase; inside, historic and partly narrow staircases, steps and thresholds; the exhibition is on the second and third floors. Two accessible parking spaces in front of the castle (vehicle access permitted for people with limited mobility), from there an uphill gravel path of about 50 m. A long staircase leads from the regular parking lot to the castle. Accessible restroom in the neighboring administration building; seating available. Written information for deaf visitors; no induction loop, no tactile guidance system.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
Children's and youth section on the website with games, audio stories, a comic and craft templates; tours and events for children and families are announced there (no dates at present).
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Prunn · 20-min walk
Saal (Donau) station, then bus line VLK-1 to Prunn or Nußhausen, followed by a walk of about 20 minutes. The castle lies on the Altmühltal Cycle Path (Altmühltal-Radweg).
By car
Free parking
Free parking for cars and buses near the castle; stairs lead up from the visitor parking lot. Visitors with mobility impairments may drive up to the forecourt (two accessible parking spaces, from there about 50 m of gravel path with an incline).
- Accessible parking
In the village of Prunn, follow the signs for "Schloß Prunn" (about 3 km).
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The tour (about 45 minutes) is included in the admission. On Sundays and public holidays from May 1 to October 25, 2026, at 13:30, the Burgtheater Prunn presents the one-person play "Die Nibelungen" with Daniela Graf. Virtual tour on the website. |
