Kaiserburg Nürnberg
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Why go
- The Imperial Chapel’s gallery, where the emperor could view his assembled retinue.
- The castle where Nuremberg received the rights and privileges that made it an Imperial Free City in 1219.
Opening hours
Today09:00 – 18:00Show all
Don't miss
- Deep WellFind the small half-timbered well house in the courtyard; its shaft reaches water 50 metres below ground.Courtyard, in the small half-timbered well house
- Inner CourtyardLook for visible Salian foundations and the lime tree planted in 1984, continuing a tradition of courtyard trees recorded from 1455.Inner Courtyard
- Palas exhibitionExplore the permanent castle exhibition in the building that once housed the emperors and served official functions.Palas
Know before you go
- Children under 14 may enter only with an adult supervisor.
Legends and hidden details
- Legend says the imprisoned robber baron Eppelein von Gailingen escaped by making his horse leap the moat.
What's inside
- The Kemenate houses the Kaiserburg Museum, opened in 1999.
- A multimedia show in the Kemenate explains the Imperial Castle’s building history; there is also a small museum shop.
- The Walburga Chapel was reconstructed after wartime destruction and opened to the public in 1970.
Tips for your visit
- Buy admission tickets at the ticket office in the outer courtyard; online orders are unavailable.
- The castle garden can be visited without an admission ticket.
With kids
- Children and young people under 18 receive free admission.
- A castle legend tells of the imprisoned robber baron Eppelein von Gailingen escaping by leaping the moat on horseback.
Interesting facts4
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1494
The Imperial Stables were built as a granary by Hans Beheim the Elder in 1494–1495 and now serve as a youth hostel.
Nuremberg Castle - Wikipedia -
The Deep Well was the castle’s only water source.
Nuremberg Castle - Wikipedia -
The Pentagonal Tower was the keep of the Burgraves’ Castle and is among the oldest buildings on the castle rock.
Nuremberg Castle - Wikipedia -
Peregrine falcons regularly nest in the Sinwell Tower.
Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung | Kaiserburg Nürnberg | Aktuelles
Shorts
History
German kings and emperors stayed here as they travelled between imperial residences. The castle lost importance after the Thirty Years’ War.
- around 1000The earliest fortified buildings appear to date from this period.
- 1050Henry III issued the Sigena document at Norenberc.
- After 1138Conrad III began a new Imperial Castle, including the Palas, Imperial Chapel and Heathens’ Tower.
- 1356Nuremberg was named the site of the first Imperial Diet of a newly elected ruler.
- 1377The city built Luginsland tower to watch activity inside the Burgraves’ Castle.
Show all
- 1420The Burgraves’ Castle was destroyed; little of it remains.
- 1422Sigismund transferred care of the Imperial Castle to the city.
- 1538–1545Bastions strengthened the castle’s northern defenses against artillery.
- 1944–1945Air raids damaged much of the castle. The Imperial Chapel and Sinwell Tower remained intact.
- 1971Reconstruction of the Kemenate was completed.
How to get there
- On footThe usual approach follows Burgstrasse uphill to the sandstone ridge, then a footpath through the Heavenly Gate beside the Hasenburg tower.
Sources: Nuremberg Castle - Wikipedia · Nuremberg Castle - Wikipedia (part 2) · Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung | Kaiserburg Nür… · Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung | Kaiserburg Nür… · Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung | Kaiserburg Nür… · Nürnberger Burg - Wikipedia · Château de Nuremberg - Wikipedia · checked 28 Sep 2026
- Website
- kaiserburg-nuernberg.de/
- Phone
- +49 911 2446590
Questions and answers
What is the castle’s address?
Burg 17, Nuremberg, Middle Franconia, Bavaria.
What was the Sinwell Tower used for?
Built in the second half of the 13th century, it was the castle’s principal keep.
What are Kaiserburg Nuremberg’s opening hours?
It is open daily from 09:00 to 18:00.
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