Erlebnis Cadolzburg

About the museum

Cadolzburg Castle, west of Nuremberg, was first mentioned in 1157 and passed in the mid-13th century to the Nuremberg burgraves of the House of Zollern. In conflict with the Imperial City of Nuremberg they moved their centre of power here; in 1415 Burgrave Frederick VI received the Margraviate of Brandenburg and the electoral dignity from here. The castle later became the seat of the margraves’ administration, and a first museum was established in it in 1894.

In April 1945 the castle came under fire in fighting and burned out except for the outer walls. In 1979 the Bavarian Landtag decided on its reconstruction; in 2007 the first floors of the Old Castle were again put to public use. After the renovation was completed, the Bavarian Palace Administration opened the exhibition “HerrschaftsZeiten! Erlebnis Cadolzburg” in 2017.

On around 1,500 square metres across four floors of the Old Castle and in the inner castle, it uses originals, reproductions, staged scenes and media stations to show how the Hohenzollerns ruled, lived, celebrated and waged war 600 years ago. Topics range from the castle kitchen in the Ochsenschlot to hygiene, law and hunting, and on to alchemy and tournaments. A multimedia guide is included in the admission.

Highlights

• Exhibition “HerrschaftsZeiten!” on around 1,500 m²
• Historic castle kitchen in the Ochsenschlot
• Medieval dance steps and a tournament via VR headset
• Electoral chapel with sacred art of the 15th century
• Free multimedia guide and castle garden

Permanent exhibition

• HerrschaftsZeiten! Erlebnis Cadolzburg – The interactive exhibition shows, in the Old Castle and inner castle, how the Franconian Hohenzollerns lived, ruled and fought in the late Middle Ages – with originals, staged scenes, and media and hands-on stations.

Founded

2017

Operated by

Bayerische Verwaltung der staatlichen Schlösser, Gärten und Seen

Admission & discounts

2026 prices, including multimedia guide. Castle garden free. Tickets only at the ticket office in the outer castle (cash or card), no online sales.

Accessibility

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

Museum rooms largely barrier-free; four floors by lift (cabin 120 × 80 cm, access 75 cm at the narrowest point). One chamber and the chapel rooms are reachable only via narrow stairs. Two disabled parking spaces in the outer castle courtyard; outer castle and castle garden only partly navigable by wheelchair. Tactile model, touch stations and audio announcements in the lift; induction loops at the ticket office and in the Erkersaal, portable loops for the multimedia guide. Tours for blind, deaf and hard-of-hearing people, people with learning difficulties or dementia on request.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Family tour on the first Sunday of the month, open holiday workshop on Thursdays during the Bavarian school holidays (1:30–3:30 pm, included in admission), explorer booklet and play, touch and media stations. Children’s birthday parties and programmes for nurseries and school classes can be booked.

Getting there & parking

Cadolzburg is about 22 km west of Nuremberg on the B8. Because of a construction site (until about 2030), the northern entrance to the town from the B8/Seukendorf is closed; access via Ammerndorf, Zautendorf, Gonnersdorf, Wachendorf or Egersdorf, coaches via Ammerndorf or Wachendorf. The Hohenzollern Cycle Route runs through the town.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

“Vesperhäusla” kiosk in the schoolhouse garden of the outer castle (April to October, Tue–Sun 11 am–6 pm, in good weather only). Free Wi-Fi in large parts of the castle. Museum heated. Dogs not allowed.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties: not available
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies: not available

Erkersaal and Saal der Eichensäule (only together) for cultural and corporate events; private celebrations such as weddings or birthdays are not possible.

Plan your visit