Burgmuseum Parsberg

About the museum

Parsberg Castle rises on a rock plateau above the valley of the Schwarze Laber; its history goes back to the 13th century. The Romanesque keep and the Renaissance towers are distinctive. The museum is housed in the lower part of the castle, which dates from the mid-17th century.

In 1981, around 70 citizens of Parsberg founded a friends' association (Förderverein) to build up a museum. The basis was the local history museum established in 1925 by senior teacher Singer and the collection of the teacher and district heritage officer Friedrich Spörer. By 2013 the house had grown, following a modern concept, to about 1,200 square meters of exhibition space.

The exhibition is divided into three areas: the first leads from the formation of the Jura landscape via the Stone and Metal Ages to the chivalry of the lords of Parsberg and the town's history. A folklore department is devoted to crafts, textiles, housing, and religious life. The contemporary history department places German history from the Empire to the Nazi era in a regional context, including the world wars and forced labor.

The museum is operated by the Förderverein Burg/Museum Parsberg together with the town of Parsberg, which also uses the castle grounds as an event venue. An audio guide and a free app accompany visitors through the rooms; the keep is accessible by elevator as a viewpoint.

Highlights

• Replica of the Parsberg garment brooch
• Epitaph of Hans II of Parsberg of 1469
• Hallstatt-period finds from Granswang
• Railway diorama from the 1950s
• Contemporary history department with a regional view of the Nazi era
• View from the keep, reachable by elevator

Permanent exhibitions

• Von der Erdgeschichte bis zur Neuzeit – Formation of the landscape, finds from the Stone and Metal Ages, chivalry of the lords of Parsberg, and town history.
• Volkskundliche Abteilung – Crafts, textiles, household goods, housing, and religious life in the region.
• Zeitgeschichtliche Abteilung – German history from the Empire to the Nazi era with a view of Parsberg and the surrounding area.

Founded

1981

Operated by

Förderverein Burg/Museum Parsberg e. V. und Stadt Parsberg

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

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

The museum is not fully accessible; there is an accessible restroom, an accessible parking space, and seating. The keep can only be reached via an elevator in the inner castle courtyard.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children's birthday parties with a knight program (ages 6–12) or a Stone Age program (ages 9–12) for up to 12 children, €40 per hour; no birthday parties from December to February. Child-friendly castle tours by arrangement. At the ticket desk there is a puzzle book with Knight Parsival. Adjacent are the city park, playground, and sunbathing lawn, and in winter a sledding run and ice rink.

Getting there & parking

Parsberg is located on the A3 between Nuremberg and Regensburg.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Castle café in a converted stone pavilion in the castle garden, run by volunteers, Sundays from 13:30.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 200 guests.

The town of Parsberg rents out the Burgsaal (191 m², up to 200 people, up to 160 guests for weddings) with foyer, kitchen, and bar as well as the Turmsaal (110 m², up to 80 people); civil weddings in the knights' hall. Castle and museum tours can be booked as a supporting program. From the second week of June to the end of July, no events on weekends (theater season).

Plan your visit