Burgmuseum Abenberg

About the museum

For around a thousand years there has been a castle in Abenberg. Around 1040 a first wooden castle was built under the Counts of Abenberg; around 1120 it was replaced by a solid residential tower. After the counts died out, the property passed to the Zollern family, who had the ring wall and palas rebuilt around 1230. From 1296 until 1803 the castle served as a bailiwick of the Bishops of Eichstätt; in the 19th century private owners followed, including Anton Schott, who had the neo-Gothic Schottenturm built in 1881.

Today the complex belongs to the Zweckverband Burg Abenberg (special-purpose association), supported by the town of Abenberg, the district of Roth and the Bezirk of Middle Franconia. In the castle rooms, the castle museum presents an interactive permanent exhibition under the motto "1000 Jahre Burgträume". Visitors receive their own key, with which they unlock the stations and discover stories, riddles and secrets about the castle.

The story spans from the medieval tournament and courtly love (Minne) culture, when real knights' tournaments took place in Abenberg, to the present-day Feuertanz fire dance festival. In a virtual gallery of ancestors, former residents of the castle tell about their lives. The castle expert Franz serves as a guide; guests can drop their questions into a yellow mailbox for him. The Klöppelmuseum (lace-making museum) is in the same building.

Highlights

• Own key to unlock the interactive stations
• Virtual gallery of ancestors with former residents of the castle
• Knights' tournaments and courtly love in the Middle Ages
• Castle expert Franz with a question mailbox
• One ticket for the castle museum and the lace-making museum

Permanent exhibition

• 1000 Jahre Burgträume – Interactive permanent exhibition on the history of Abenberg Castle: with a key of their own, visitors open stations from the Counts of Abenberg through medieval tournaments to the fire dance festival.

Founded

1998

Operated by

Zweckverband Burg Abenberg

Admission & discounts

The museum ticket covers the castle museum, the lace-making museum and all exhibitions in the building.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The castle grounds can be reached from the parking lot without steps, but with cobblestones, gravel and gentle slopes. Vehicle access up to the castle courtyard at the museum entrance is possible after registration at 09171/814200. Castle museum: elevator to the permanent exhibition on the third floor, stairlift to the exhibitions on the fourth floor, accessible toilets in the basement (reached by elevator). Dogs are allowed on the castle grounds but not in the museum rooms.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children's programs (including treasure hunts, a knights' program, a castle rally and museum detectives) for children's birthdays, kindergartens and school classes, for ages 5 and up or 8 and up respectively. Children's birthday parties from a flat €60 for up to 12 children. Family tour on the last Sunday of every month; family ticket €10.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A6 from Schwabach West (B 466 toward Gunzenhausen/Abenberg), or via the A9 from Allersberg through Roth.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant

Hotel and restaurant Burg Abenberg on the castle grounds. Museum café in the Schottenturm on the last Sunday of each month from 14:00.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Civil wedding ceremonies and celebrations at the castle (historic wedding room, rose garden, open area) are offered through the Hotel Burg Abenberg.

Plan your visit