The Burgenstrasse is a well-known historic autoroute through southern Germany. This beautiful route from Mannheim to Bayreuth goes for almost 1000 km through (mainly) the federal states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. The route passes by more than 80 castles, fortresses and aristocratic residences and more places of interest. The route once continued for another 400 kilometers in the Czech Republic.

The star ratings (4.4*) of the sights are taken from Google Maps. This allows you to decide for yourself what you want to watch and what not. Suggestions for other points of interest along the route are also provided. Some castles are in use as a hotel or as a residence and cannot be visited. Or rather: you can sleep there for a night.

After we leave Rothenburg we drive through the beautiful nature in this Franconian part of Bavaria. The next castle is Colmberg. Today a hotel and a golf course. The castle is in excellent condition, but you cannot visit it unless you stay overnight here. We continue along Lehrberg where we follow the river Rezat.

At Ansbach you can visit the opulent rococo palace with elegant rooms (4.4*). It is a showcase of paintings, pottery and porcelain from Ansbach. In the area you can enjoy a lovely walk through the beautiful Orangerie Gardens 4.2*. All kept in very good condition. Also take the time for a cup of coffee here, because the area is certainly suitable for that.

The route continues to the fortress Lichtenau 4.6*. The formidable towers and walls of the former fortress clearly remind us that it was the model for Nuremberg Castle and witnessed a not always peaceful past. The Veste Lichtenau is home to the outpost of the Nuremberg State Archives, which is open by appointment. The outdoor area is open to the public during the day.

We briefly leave the river Rezat to visit the beautiful town of Wolframs-Eschenbach. The palace on the market square in the heart of the city is one of the masterpieces of the Renaissance in Franconia and, with its neat half-timbered facades, forms the image of Wolframs-Eschenbach. 4.0* Nowadays the town hall and tourist information are located here. The center of the partly walled city is still very nice to take a walk. You can also visit the local museum here (4.6*).

After this we drive through a beautiful piece of nature back to the river Rezat. We cross the river, pass Windsbach and arrive in Dürrenmungenau, where the castle of the same name is located. Unfortunately, this is now a venue for events and usually not freely accessible. Before you go, check if there is a public event. The castle itself and the town are not very special 4.6 *.

The route continues to Abensberg. The castle's two towers there - the slender "Luginsland" watchtower and the massive "Schottenturm" (Schott Tower) - dominate the castle's striking silhouette. The towers were not added until the 1880s. The castle complex houses the "house of Frankish history" and the bobbin lace museum. There is also the Hotel Abenberg Castle and a restaurant that offers excellent cuisine. Some rooms are located in the "Schottenturm". 4.6*

The next town is Roth, where Ratibor Castle is located 4.6*. The "castle of the iron barons" serves as the center and important flagship of the former margrave city of Roth. Various rooms, such as the impressive ceremony hall, can be visited. The city museum is located in the castle, in addition, temporary exhibitions are presented. In the summer, the idyllic courtyard of the castle is the setting for plays in the courtyard of the palace. The public library and municipal archives are housed in the former stables. The tourist office is located in the east wing of the castle. Tours are offered every first Saturday of the month; group tours can also be booked. Have lunch here in this beautiful town, for example a pizza at Al Castello (4.5*) near the castle.

We now follow the river Rednitz a bit to the north, until we turn east to visit Kornburger Schloss, just before Nuremberg 4.5*. It is a massive castle, nowadays used for holiday homes and cannot be visited, but can be admired from the outside. In addition, you drive back and forth over the Main-Danube Canal, which is not bad either.

We are now close to Nuremberg and pass through the town of Stein with the beautiful castle Faber Castell. The castle was built in 1903 by Alexander Count Faber Castell. In keeping with the family name, the outer structure with bays and towers resembles a medieval castle and reflects the connection of the industrial spirit of progress and the traditional values of the German high nobility. After World War II, the palace served as a press camp for journalists from all over the world, covering the Nuremberg Trials. The name Faber Castell might remind you of the pencils and that's right. They are still made in the factories here. You can take a tour and visit the museum. You can have a drink in the beer garden opposite the castle or in Stein. As you walk towards Stein, you cross the river Rednitz. On that river lies an old Faber-Castell building, which has now become the factory's museum. And on the riverbank are many beautiful half-timbered houses.

We don't drive to Nuremberg yet, but back west to Cadolzburg. The mighty Cadolzburg Castle towers over the town of the same name. The castle is now an attractive museum. With the motto "Reigns. Experience Cadolzburg Castle", it offers an entertaining encounter with the Middle Ages on 1,500 m² of exhibition space. Nearby is also a tower with a beautiful view of the area: Aussichtsturm Cadolzburg.

We continue the route to the monastery of Langenzenn. Langenzenn is known for its historic monastery complex in the heart of the village and for its vibrant cultural life that radiates to the surrounding area. Right on the small river Zenn, just a few steps past the city wall, stretches the Zennoasis, a recreational area with public gardens, an exercise trail, direct access to the water and the beer garden.

We drive back to Nuremberg for the last part of today. Nuremberg is an international city with over half a million inhabitants and a rich history. The Imperial Castle of Nuremberg (4.6*) towers as a landmark over a city of half a million inhabitants, rich in art treasures and museums. In the Middle Ages, it was considered one of the most important fortified imperial palaces of the Salic dynasty. The bridges over the river Pegnitz, which divide the city in two, are also worth a visit, such as the Fleischbrücke (4.6*) and a little more to the west the Fronveste with Schlayerturm (4.8*). The Fronveste is part of the city walls. Furthermore, there is of course something to be found about the Nuremberg trials and the Second World War, such as the Friedensmuseum.

For example, you can spend the night in the Burghotel (€85, price level 2021), 4.5*.