Kunstgalerie Steinacker

About the museum

Schloss Spielberg stands on a hill at the north-western end of the Hahnenkamm near Gnotzheim and is a landmark of the former Gunzenhausen district. The oval hilltop castle with its curtain walls about five metres high goes back in its core to the 12th century; apparently a simpler motte-and-bailey tower stood there earlier, and its mound, with four old lime trees, has been preserved as a natural monument. Later the complex belonged to the lordship of Oettingen-Spielberg.

During extensive renovation work between 1983 and 1988, modern art moved into the rooms and onto the grounds from 1986. In this way an art and exhibition venue gradually developed that incorporates the historic monument and nature and celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026.

The centrepiece is the gallery rooms on the second floor of the main building. They show the collection of the artist Ernst Steinacker, above all his late work from the Spielberg years of 1983 to 2008 with large heads and face pictures, couples, idols and the large angel paintings, complemented by figures and relief cycles from earlier years. The permanent exhibition also shows works by his wife Ingrid Maria Steinacker and their children Veit Steinacker and Annette Steinacker-Holst. Each of the mostly stuccoed rooms forms a unity of architecture, sculpture and painting. Outdoors, sculpture trails, a viewing platform on the curtain wall and the tower mound invite visitors to explore. The complex can be visited all year round, and the gallery rooms by arrangement on weekdays too.

Highlights

• Ernst Steinacker collection with works by his wife and children in stuccoed castle rooms
• Large angel paintings, heads and face pictures from the Spielberg years (1983–2008)
• Open-air gallery with sculpture trails and figure meadows
• Viewing platform on the curtain wall with panoramic views
• Medieval hilltop castle with five-meter-high curtain walls
• Castle complex open all year, gallery on weekdays by arrangement

Permanent exhibitions

• Sammlung Ernst Steinacker – Late work of the artist Ernst Steinacker from the Spielberg years in the gallery rooms on the second floor of the main building, plus works by Ingrid Maria Steinacker, Veit Steinacker and Annette Steinacker-Holst.
• Freilichtgalerie und Skulpturenwege – Sculptures and figure meadows in the castle inner courtyard and on the outdoor grounds, plus a viewing terrace on the curtain wall.

Operated by

Familie Steinacker

Admission & discounts

A donation is requested in the castle courtyard (donation box at the entrance). Reduced admission for school classes, people with disabilities and people with a migration background.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Children up to age 12 enter free. Parents are responsible for their children; the grounds have steep slopes and walls.

Getting there & parking

The castle lies above Gnotzheim, about eight kilometers south of Gunzenhausen.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

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

Conferences, weddings and celebrations by arrangement; the White Hall (Weißer Saal) and the outdoor stage are used for concerts, readings and workshops.

Plan your visit