Burg und Festung Regenstein
Castle and fortress ruin on a sandstone cliff near Blankenburg, with rooms carved into the rock, an exhibition, and a children's hiking trail.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Regenstein Castle stands on a sandstone cliff on the northern foothills of the Harz. A count of Regenstein is first mentioned in 1162. The complex became famous under Count Albrecht II (1310–1349), whose feuds with bishops and abbesses later provided material for Gottfried August Bürger's ballad "Der Raubgraf." In the 15th century the count's family moved to Blankenburg Castle.
From 1671, Brandenburg-Prussia built the cliff into a fortress; by 1742 the defensive wall extended over 1,200 meters. During the Seven Years' War, the French briefly occupied the complex in 1757; Prussia recaptured it after five months. After 1758 the fortress was largely destroyed. What survived are the rooms and passages carved into the rock and a well more than 197 meters deep.
Today the town of Blankenburg (Harz) operates the ruin as an open-air museum. Individual rooms are accessible and display objects on the castle's history; at Easter and Pentecost, the Middle Ages come alive with medieval shows.
Highlights
- Rock fortress with rooms and passages cut into the sandstone
- Well more than 197 meters deep
- Remains of the Prussian fortress
- Augmented reality app with up to 17 virtual historic buildings
- Children's hiking trail "Brockenbande" to the castle
Permanent exhibition
- Ausstellungsräume in der Felsenburg – In the rooms carved into the rock, exhibits tell the story of Regenstein Castle.
- Operated by
- Stadt Blankenburg (Harz)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2Children from age 6, young people up to 18, pupils, students, and people with severe disabilities |
| Children & teens | €2free up to age 5 · Children under 6 enter free. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €2People with severe disabilities pay the reduced rate. |
| Students & apprentices | €2 |
| Groups (20+ people) | €3.20 per personReduced €1.60 per person |
| Families | €102 adults and up to 3 children |
| Annual pass, adults | €24 |
| Annual pass, reduced | €12 |
| Residents of the town of Blankenburg (Harz) | €3Eligible residents €1.50 |
| Dog | €1 |
| Leaflet with site map | €0.50Available at the ticket counter |
Admission is free with the HarzCard. 20 percent discount with the Blankenburger Urlaubsticket, the Harzgastkarte, and the HARZwert app. Card payment is possible, except at special events; the prices do not apply to special events.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €10 · 2 adults and up to 3 children |
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
The children's hiking trail "Brockenbande" leads to the castle with five child-friendly information boards; at the photo point there are life-size figures. Dogs are welcome.
Getting there & parking
By car
Paid parking
Visitor parking below the Regenstein at the edge of the forest, fee-based; the parking meter works only cashless (PayByPhone app). A general no-parking rule applies at the access road Am Platenberg.
Navigation entry: Am Platenberg.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Wi-Fi
Kiosk daily 11:00–17:00; Panorama Café in the Graf-Konrad-Saal on Saturdays and Sundays 14:00–17:00. Free Wi-Fi on the grounds.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Adventure guided tours with a guide for groups, booked through the Blankenburg tourist information (03944 362260). An augmented reality app shows up to 17 historic buildings at their former locations. |
