Burg Neuhaus

Burg Neuhaus stands as the ruined remains of a spur castle perched on a rocky outcrop 329 metres above the Tauber valley. The site overlooks the Staatsdomäne Neuhaus, a farming estate within the village of Igersheim in the Main-Tauber district of Baden-Württemberg. Dense woodland surrounds the ruins, part of the Neuhaus nature reserve, creating a quiet setting above the valley floor. The castle was probably built in the 13th century and first mentioned in 1281. It passed from the Lords of Hohenlohe-Brauneck to the Bishopric of Würzburg in 1320, becoming the centre of the Teutonic Knights’ Neuhaus district. During the Peasants’ War and the Schmalkaldic War the stronghold was repeatedly damaged and rebuilt. From 1704 to 1789 a Teutonic Order official lived on the site, administering justice and local affairs before moving to Igersheim in 1789. After 1792 the main buildings were gradually dismantled, and the estate became state property in 1809. Today the outer bailey houses a riding school and horse-pension, while the inner keep’s ruins remain open to walkers. A local medieval combat group trains on the site, and until recently the area was used for breeding Trakehner horses. The castle no longer hosts public medieval markets following a serious accident. From the ruins there are wide views across the Tauber valley and into the surrounding countryside.