Schloss Baldern

About the museum

The castle on the conical hill near Baldern is first mentioned in the 11th century and initially belonged to the free lords of Baldern. In 1280 it passed to Count Ludwig V of Oettingen; after being pledged for a time in the late Middle Ages, it was bought back by the House of Oettingen in 1507 and has remained in its possession ever since.

Between 1718 and 1737, the Counts of Oettingen-Baldern had the complex converted into a Baroque residence. The design was initially in the hands of Franz de Gabrieli; after his death, his brother Gabriel continued the work. This produced the present-day state rooms, salons, a palace chapel and a banquet hall with a sweeping view over the Nördlinger Ries.

After the Oettingen-Baldern line died out in 1798, the palace passed to the princely House of Oettingen-Wallerstein, which still owns it today. In the 19th century the palace hill was laid out as an English garden, and the tower was added in 1887; the palace was open to visitors as early as 1896. Since 1930 it has housed an extensive collection of arms with European and Oriental pieces from the 14th to the 18th century. Today the palace opens only for public and booked guided tours and for special events.

Highlights

• Baroque state rooms, Green and Red Salons
• Banquet hall with a panoramic view over the Nördlinger Ries
• Historic palace kitchen and palace well
• Arms collection of the House of Oettingen-Wallerstein
• Candlelight night tours and children's tours with the palace ghost

Operated by

Fürst Wallerstein (Fürstenhaus Oettingen-Wallerstein)

Admission & discounts

Tickets for public tours via Eventbrite; the ticket portal lists prices from €8, but no breakdown by rate is shown there. Booked tickets are non-refundable.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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

No official information on accessibility.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children's and family tours with the characters D'Artagnan the bat, Princess Caro, and the palace ghost Sir George; also possible as a children's birthday party with costumes. Groups of 10 or more by arrangement.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The forecourt, inner courtyard and state rooms can be booked for private photo shoots (April–October). Other rentals on request.

Plan your visit