Burg Honberg: A Late Medieval Fortress in Tuttlingen, Germany

Visitor Information

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Official Website: www.honberg-tuttlingen.de

Country: Germany

Civilization: Medieval European, Modern

Site type: Military

Remains: Castle

History

Burg Honberg is located in the town of Tuttlingen, Germany. This hilltop fortress was constructed in the late medieval period by the Württemberg dynasty, specifically under the direction of Count Eberhard V, who was known as “the Bearded.” Built between 1460 and 1470, the stronghold formed part of a broader network of defenses designed to protect the Württemberg territory.

When Eberhard V was elevated to the rank of Duke of Württemberg in 1495, the fortress at Honberg became the most important military installation in the southern region of the newly founded duchy. It served both as a defensive site and a symbol of ducal authority during this era. The location’s prominence reflected its strategic position overseeing the Danube valley and surrounding lands.

The fortress’s military significance was further demonstrated during the Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648), a devastating conflict that affected much of central Europe. In 1643, Burg Honberg was used as the command center for French and Weimarian forces during the decisive Battle of Tuttlingen. However, those forces were defeated by Bavarian and Imperial troops. Two years later, in 1645, the fortress was deliberately destroyed by its own garrison, which consisted mainly of imperial soldiers. This action was taken under the orders of Konrad Widerholt, the commander of the nearby Hohentwiel fortress, to prevent enemy forces from capturing the stronghold and using it against the town of Tuttlingen.

Following the fortress’s destruction, its remains were further diminished over the centuries as local builders reused the stones for various reconstruction projects. Notably, materials from the ruins were employed in the development of the Schwäbischen Hüttenwerke metal factory as well as in the rebuilding efforts after a major fire in Tuttlingen in 1803. This constant removal of masonry contributed to the gradual decline of the site’s structures.

In the 19th century, growing interest in preserving regional historical sites led to the formation of an association dedicated to saving Burg Honberg’s remains. Efforts focused on stabilizing and restoring two of the fortress’ towers and some adjacent structural elements. While these restorations did not attempt to replicate the original medieval architecture, they ensured the survival of key features and marked the site as a monument celebrating the castle’s historic legacy rather than the entire fortification.

Until June 2013, one of the restored towers served a modern purpose by housing a regional radio antenna. This installation replaced an earlier steel lattice tower located just east of the ruins, reflecting how the site continued to adapt to contemporary needs while preserving its historical core.

Remains

Burg Honberg is positioned atop Honberg hill, reaching an elevation of 739 meters above sea level, with views overlooking the Danube valley in central Tuttlingen. Its classification as a hilltop fortress indicates that it was designed primarily for military defense rather than as a residential palace, making use of the natural elevation for strategic advantage.

The surviving features of the fortress include portions of the original defensive walls and two towers that were restored during the 19th century. These towers no longer match their exact medieval appearance, as reconstruction efforts focused on preservation rather than faithful architectural replication. The walls and masonry, although fragmentary in parts due to centuries of stone removal, remain well preserved relative to the site’s age and historical destruction.

A notable element at the site is an original written order commanding the fortress’s demolition, which is displayed on the side of one of the towers. This document provides direct physical evidence of the deliberate destruction carried out in 1645 by imperial troops under Konrad Widerholt’s direction.

The fortress complex is physically separated from Tuttlingen by a cemetery, reflecting the historical spatial organisation between the town and the military site. Historically, Burg Honberg was also connected in military terms to the Hohentwiel fortress, situated approximately 23 kilometers south, forming part of a coordinated defensive system in the region.

Today, the preserved ruins reveal the fortress’s former layout, highlighting its role as a strategic stronghold while providing tangible links to the region’s late medieval and early modern military history. The surviving masonry and structural remains serve as a testament to the fortress’s function and the dramatic events that led to its partial destruction and gradual transformation over time.