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Sparrenburg

Castles & palaces ·Bielefeld ·Open now
4.710.0K
#2Things to do in Bielefeld North Rhine Westphalia
  • Not step-free
  • Ideal for kids, dogs

Erwachsene EUR 7.50

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About

Sparrenburg is a restored fortress on Sparrenberg hill in Bielefeld, Germany, in the Teutoburg Forest, 60 metres above the city centre.

Menu & prices

Entdecker-Karte Mit der Bielefelder Entdecker-Karte preisgünstig und bequem ein

More photos 11

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Sparrenburg

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What's on here

Kulinarischer Spaziergang Kulinarischer Spaziergang Until 14 Nov54.50 EUR Kulinarischer Spaziergang Kulinarischer Spaziergang Saturday · All day

Why go

  • The 37-metre viewing tower above Bielefeld, with 121 steps.
  • The 300-metre underground passage system, with dungeons and narrow light shafts, explored on a guided tour.
  • A Renaissance stronghold that became the largest fortress in Westphalia.
  • The foundations of a 50-by-15-metre, 16th-century arsenal, uncovered in 2008.

Plan your visit

Prices

ErwachseneEUR 7.50

From the venue's website · checked 3 Nov 2026

Opening hours

Today10:00 – 18:00Show all
Monday10:00 – 18:00
Tuesday10:00 – 18:00
Wednesday10:00 – 18:00
Thursday10:00 – 18:00
Friday10:00 – 18:00
Saturday10:00 – 18:00
Sunday10:00 – 18:00

Don't miss

  • Frederick William monumentFritz Schaper made this courtyard monument, which was erected in 1900.Castle courtyard1900
  • Visitor centreDesigned by Swiss architect Max Dudler, it opened on 17 September 2014.Southeast edge of the courtyard2014
  • HermannswegThe hiking trail passes through the grounds in front of the castle.Castle grounds

Know before you go

  • The above-ground grounds are accessible year-round.
  • Tower visits and visits to the southeast casemates run from April to October. Casemate visits require advance booking.
  • The northwest passages are normally closed. Three guided tours take place each year.
  • Opening hours are daily, 10:00–18:00.

Tips for your visit

  • The tower climb involves 121 steps.
  • The visitor centre has a ticket counter, museum shop and kiosk.

Best time to visit

  • Choose clear weather for views that can reach the Wiehengebirge.
  • The Sparrenburgfest recreates medieval life on the last weekend of July.

With kids

  • A children's rally offers families a playful way to explore the castle.

Interesting facts3

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  1. Sparrenburg is Germany’s northernmost surviving spur castle.

    Sparrenburg - Wikipedia
  2. 1377

    Emperor Charles IV spent the night here on 18 November 1377.

    Sparrenberg Castle - Wikipedia

  3. The name probably derives from the Ravensberg counts’ coat of arms: three red chevrons on silver.

    Sparrenburg | Bielefeld.JETZT

Shorts

History

  1. before 1250The counts of Ravensberg built the castle to guard Bielefeld Pass and serve as their seat.
  2. 1256The castle was first mentioned in a surviving record.
  3. 1377Emperor Charles IV stayed overnight at the castle on 18 November.
  4. c. 1530Builders added a western gun tower linked to the castle by a stone arch bridge.
  5. 1556–1578Alessandro Pasqualini and his son led the fortress reconstruction.
Show all
  1. 1673 and 1679The fortress withstood sieges by troops from Münster and France.
  2. 1743–1877The castle served as an administrative office and prison.
  3. 1842–1843The round viewing tower was built over the remains of the old keep.
  4. 1879The city bought the castle complex from Prussia.
  5. 1888A neo-Gothic Palas with a great hall, restaurant and museum rooms opened.
  6. 1944An air raid heavily damaged the fortress; the tower remained intact.
  7. 1948–1987Cleanup and restoration work continued almost continuously.
  8. May 1949The castle reopened to visitors after cleanup and safety work, while restoration continued.

Tours and audio guides

Guided history tour
More than 750 years of castle history Explains how soldiers defended the castle and town.

Sources: Sparrenberg Castle - Wikipedia · Sparrenburg | Bielefeld.JETZT · Entdecker-Karte | Bielefeld.JETZT · Tickets | Bielefeld.JETZT · Sparrenburg - Wikipedia · checked 28 Sep 2026

Where
Sparrenberg 40, -, Bielefeld

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

What adult admission price is given for Sparrenburg?

Adult admission is €7.50.

What is the address of Sparrenburg?

Sparrenberg 40, Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

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