Eisenberg Castle: A Medieval Fortress in the Allgäu Region of Germany

Visitor Information

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Country: Germany

Civilization: Medieval European

Remains: Military

History

Eisenberg Castle stands on a hill in the Allgäu region of southern Germany. It was built around 1313 to 1315 by the noble Hohenegg family. After losing their earlier castles, Loch and Vilsegg, to Tyrolean expansion under Count Meinhard II, the Hoheneggs moved north and established Eisenberg as their new stronghold. The castle first appears in written records in 1340 under the name “uf den Isenberch,” reflecting its location on the Isenberch hill.

In 1382, the castle changed hands when it was sold to Duke Leopold III of Austria. He granted it as a fief to Friedrich von Freyberg, who was connected to the last Hohenegg lord through marriage. The Freyberg family maintained control of Eisenberg Castle for several centuries, overseeing its use and upkeep.

During the German Peasants’ War in 1525, the castle was seized and damaged by rebellious peasants. Around 1535, the Freyberg family received compensation and undertook rebuilding efforts. These repairs included adding a new stair tower, a bakery, a bathhouse, and toilets, reflecting improvements in comfort and hygiene.

In September 1646, near the end of the Thirty Years’ War, Austrian forces deliberately abandoned and set fire to Eisenberg Castle. This was done to prevent the advancing Swedish army from using it as a military base. Along with nearby fortresses Hohenfreyberg and Falkenstein, Eisenberg was left in ruins and has remained so since that time.

The Freyberg-Eisenberg family retained ownership of the castle ruins until 1952. In 1980, the municipality of Eisenberg acquired the site and began restoration work the following year. This effort was carried out in partnership with a local preservation society, which also established a small museum in the nearby village of Zell to share the castle’s history.

Remains

Eisenberg Castle is a medieval hilltop fortress located on the 1055-meter-high Isenberch foothill of the Tannheimer Mountains. Its main structure is an oval-shaped castle built as a “mantelmauerburg,” meaning it features a continuous high curtain wall that surrounds the entire main castle. This design replaced the need for a central tower or keep. In the late 15th century, the curtain wall was raised and topped with battlements for improved defense.

Inside the main castle, remains include two residential palaces, a chapel, a cistern for water storage, a bakery, a bathhouse, and storage rooms. These buildings were constructed directly against the inner side of the curtain wall. Some vaulted cellars have also partially survived, providing insight into the castle’s internal layout.

A strong outer ward, called a zwinger, was added around the main castle to enhance its defenses. The large outer bailey was fortified with four half-round shell towers that reached the height of the walls. A similar tower strengthens the zwinger wall near the main gate. Originally, the main entrance was on the east side but was blocked in the 16th century. The current main gate is on the west side, made more accessible by a large earth-filled bastion connecting it to the outer bailey.

In the outer bailey to the west stands a low, square tower that likely served as a lookout or artillery platform. Today, it contains a wooden viewing platform offering wide views of Pfronten and the surrounding Allgäu and Tyrolean mountains.

Restoration efforts by the municipality and preservation society have stabilized the ruins and made the site accessible. The conservation work followed traditional craft methods, focusing on structural stability with minimal reconstruction. The castle remains a well-preserved example of medieval hilltop fortification in the region.

Additionally, a radio transmission facility for RSA Allgäu operates on the castle grounds, broadcasting on 106.3 MHz with 500 watts of power.