Cultural heritage D-3-6935-0125 in Dietfurt an der Altmühl

The early-modern Pflegschloss once stood east of St Ägidius parish church in Dietfurt an der Altmühl. It served as the seat of the local Pfleger, the duke’s representative, during the 16th and 17th centuries. The castle’s earthworks and cellars survive beneath later buildings, recorded as a protected archaeological site. Its outline is marked on the modern street plan between Pfarrgasse and Ringgasse. The site lies within the old town walls, close to the river Altmühl. Historians recognise Dietfurt’s Pflegschloss as an important example of a small administrative castle in the Upper Palatinate. The Pfleger administered justice and taxes for the surrounding district. Excavations found traces of a rectangular courtyard and stone foundations beneath the present houses. The castle’s modest size reflects the limited resources of the region in the early modern period. Its position beside the church underlines the close link between secular and ecclesiastical power. Visitors walk along the quiet streets where the castle once stood. Modern buildings cover the site, but the layout of the lanes still follows the old boundaries. The nearby church of St Ägidius keeps its medieval tower and Baroque interior. The Altmühl valley offers gentle riverside paths and views of the surrounding hills. The Bodendenkmal sign beside Pfarrgasse explains what once stood on this spot.