The castle is located directly on the Romantic Road, a popular tourist route through Bavaria.
It has been held by the Oettingen-Wallerstein noble family since 1731.
The castle is documented to have hosted the coronation of Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa in 1150.
The 15th-century castle chapel contains an intricately carved wooden altar.
The defensive wall system retains its original crenellations and arrow slits.
The site served as a backdrop for the 1971 film version of 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory'.
Harburg Castle is one of the best-preserved medieval fortress complexes in Southern Germany, situated on a crag above the Wörnitz river. It represents a significant architectural transition, featuring heavy Romanesque masonry alongside later Gothic and Baroque residential expansions. The site has remained under the ownership of the Princes of Oettingen-Wallerstein since the 18th century, having been a Hohenstaufen imperial castle as early as the 12th century. The complex includes an inner courtyard, a high keep, and a chapel dedicated to St. Michael. Unlike many other regional castles, it was never conquered or destroyed during the Thirty Years' War, preserving much of its original defensive structure. Visitors can access the castle path that leads through several defensive gates into the main ward. The site houses a museum displaying historical artifacts, tapestries, and ancestral portrait collections.
The outer defensive wall near the main gate, which offers a panoramic view of the town rooftops below.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes as the ascent to the castle involves steep, uneven cobblestone paths.
Plan to visit the castle grounds during the week to avoid peak weekend tourist congestion.
Check the official website for guided tour availability, as some inner rooms are only accessible via staff-led groups.
Do not attempt to park in the narrow inner courtyard, as parking is restricted to designated areas at the base of the hill.
Closed on Mondays; open daily from Tuesday to Sunday, excluding specific winter months when it may operate on a limited weekend-only schedule.
Maintain a respectful tone in the chapel; do not touch historical artifacts or tapestries in the museum galleries.
