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.

We leave Bamberg, enjoying the beautiful buildings in the city. We cross the river Main at Breitengussbach and drive to Rentweinsdorf. There lies the beautiful castle in Rococo style, which unfortunately is not open to the public because the von Rotenhan family has lived there for many centuries (4.3*). We drive on to Ebern, a beautiful old walled town with 6 large towers (4.7*). A little further on is Eyrichshof Castle: a beautiful traditional-looking castle, used several times as a backdrop for films and television series, unfortunately usually not open to the public (4.5*). There are events a few times a year, otherwise you can only visit the front garden of the castle. Further on we pass the ruins of the castle Rotenhan. Not very impressive but still worth a visit. Some parts of the castle are intact and it is more or less built into the rock. 4.6*

We now drive to Gereuth. Here is another castle where things are organized. There are Alpacas to see, there is a restaurant and beer garden and sometimes there are events. Don't expect anything special, it's a bit clunky. 4.0* We drive via a nice road to Lichtenstein where the ruins of the castle can be found. The ruin is not special, the view is. Enjoy it for a while (4.6*). The beautiful road takes us further to Altenstein. The castle ruins of Altenstein are impressively high (458 meters) on a rocky plateau above the Weisachtal - even today one can well imagine the former size of the castle. It is a beautiful ruin where guided tours are given, but you can also take a look yourself, for a fee (4,6 *). We drive on again and arrive in Sesslach, where Geiersberg Castle is located. It sits on a hill high above the town and is the oldest building. Geyersburg Castle was the official seat of the bishops of Würzburg and is said to have been built between 1120 and 1130. It is now privately owned and not open to the public. 4.6*

We drive a little further to a very beautiful castle, Heldburg, which now serves as a museum. Well worth a visit and maybe a good time for a coffee too. Heldburg Castle was built in the 13th century as an outpost for Coburg. Today, an exhibition informs the visitor about the history of the fortress and about the reconstruction of the French wing, a joint project of Thuringia and Bavaria. Castle festivities, concerts and other events take place here. Heldburg Fortress is also the location for the German Castle Museum. 4.3*

The route continues to Coburg. But first you can pay a visit to Tambach Castle with the wildlife park/zoo there. The castle is impressive to see, the zoo is worth a visit (4.5*). After this we drive to Castle Callenberg. Again a beautiful castle, but private property and therefore not accessible (4.5*). The next castle is Ehrenburg, also beautiful and large (4.6*). Here in Coburg you can have a great lunch, for example at Lokal 1627. After lunch we drive to the fortress on the hill near the city of Coburg. The Coburg Fortress is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Germany. Visible from very far, the "Franconian Crown" dominates the landscape. Today, the castle complex houses the Veste Coburg art collections, most of which date back to the art collection of the Dukes of Coburg (4.7*).

After the Coburg Fortress we pass two smaller castles: Rosenau near Rödental, with a glass museum next to it (4.6*). Then a little further in Mitwitz is a castle with a moat (4.5*). We drive on to Kronach to an imposing building: fortress Rosenberg. This fortress rises high above the old town of Kronach. With an area of 23.6 hectares, it is considered to be the largest fortifications in Germany. The almost completely symmetrical fortress complex has evolved over the centuries and is still surrounded by a complex of walls, moats, buildings and gates even today. A well-preserved fortress from the Middle Ages with guided tours, views of the old town and a beer garden. 4.6*

We drive back to the Main, this time the White Main, one of the two source rivers that later become the Main. Near Kulmbach we find Plassenburg Castle: again an imposing building in a beautiful spot (4.6*). Events are occasionally organized here. A little further on you can still see the ruins of Hohenberneck Castle 4.5*. However, there is not much left than a tower. And there is so much to see in Bayreuth that I suggest driving on.

Just before Bayreuth we arrive at the Eremitage. This is located on the Red Main, the other branch of the Main. Here you will find two castles: the old (4.8*) and the new (4.9*). There is also a huge garden complex with water features and a water show. Lots to see and all equally impressive. Before we end the route in Bayreuth, we drive past Colmdorf Castle. Not very special, so move on soon. Bayreuth is a beautiful town with lots to see and do. Of course you will see the old and new castle in the center. But you can also visit the Richard Wagner or Franz Liszt museum. For example, you can spend the night in the B&B Hôtel Bayreuth.