The castle features a rare collection of Merovingian-era gold jewelry and artifacts recovered from early medieval graves.
The interior courtyard's arcade design was influenced by Italian palace architecture popular in 16th-century Europe.
The castle was originally surrounded by a moat, though this was filled in during the 18th century to accommodate urban growth.
The building houses the 'Glass Museum,' which contains one of the most comprehensive historical glass collections in Germany.
The chapel within the castle, dedicated in 1562, is one of the first Protestant church buildings constructed in a castle setting.
The Old Castle (Altes Schloss) in Stuttgart serves as the home to the Landesmuseum Württemberg, housing a massive collection of cultural artifacts spanning the Stone Age to the present. Originally a 10th-century water castle, the structure underwent significant Renaissance-style modifications during the 16th century under Duke Christoph of Württemberg. Its iconic inner courtyard features a three-story arcade design characteristic of the German Renaissance. The museum collection includes the crown jewels of the former Kingdom of Württemberg and extensive archaeological finds from southwestern Germany. The site sustained heavy damage during World War II but was meticulously reconstructed between 1947 and 1962. It functions as a primary research institution for the state's historical preservation. The structure occupies the central Schillerplatz, positioning it in the heart of the city's historical district. It remains one of the oldest preserved defensive structures in the region.
The arcade galleries in the inner courtyard, looking upward toward the tower.
Prioritize the Württemberg crown jewels exhibit as it is the most popular collection.
Check the museum's rotating special exhibition calendar before arriving, as these often occupy significant floor space.
Explore the inner courtyard thoroughly, as it is often overlooked by tourists rushing into the interior galleries.
Do not mistake the Old Castle for the nearby New Castle (Neues Schloss), which is a separate 18th-century palace.
Closed on Mondays.
