Burg Holzkirch

Burg Holzkirch, also known as Burg Hag, once stood high on a hill at 573 metres above sea level near the village of Holzkirch in the Alb-Donau district. The ruins lie in the Höfentäle valley close to Breitingen, a quiet spot surrounded by gentle slopes. Built in the 14th century, it belonged to the Lords of Bernstadt, a noble family from the region. The castle was destroyed in the same century and nothing of the original stonework remains today. Only the name ‘Hag’ survives in local speech, meaning a hedged or enclosed place. Despite its vanished walls, the site still holds a later addition: a shooting range built in the north-western part of the old enclosure. This small structure, sometimes called Hägle, is the only visible trace of human activity on the hill. The rest is open grassland and scattered trees, giving the place a peaceful, almost forgotten feel. Walkers pass by without noticing anything unusual, yet the name lingers on maps and in local memory. The site offers a quiet moment away from busy paths. Visitors find a simple grassy mound where the castle once rose, with no ruins to climb or explore. The shooting range stands as a low stone platform, its purpose long ended. From the hilltop there are wide views over rolling farmland towards the Swabian Alb. The air is fresh, the silence deep, broken only by birdsong or the wind. It is a place for a short pause rather than a long stay, where history is felt more than seen.