Hohenfels Castle (Hohenfels)

Burg Hohenfels stands on a forested hill ridge eight kilometres east of Stockach and twelve kilometres north of Lake Constance. It is a mediaeval spur castle built on the spur of a south-tilting hilltop. The castle gave its name to the municipality of Hohenfels, created in 1973. It was founded by the lords of Hohenfels and first mentioned in 1292 as Neuhohenfels. The Neuhohenfels line died out in 1352 and the castle passed to the lords of Jungingen.

The Teutonic Order owned the castle from 1506 to 1806 after Anna of Jungingen sold it in 1506. The order managed the estate from Altshausen for three centuries. Fires damaged the castle in 1553 and 1642. In 1806 the estate passed to the Principality of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen and later to the School of Schloss Salem. The school sold the castle in 2018 and the new owner turned it into a convention centre.

Visitors find a mediaeval castle on a hilltop with views over the surrounding countryside. The castle’s history is visible in its walls and towers. The new owner has adapted the interior for modern events while keeping the mediaeval character. The site includes the castle buildings and the nearby village of Kalkofen. The forested hill ridge adds to the peaceful setting.