Kocherburg, Medieval castle ruin in Unterkochen, Germany

Kocherburg is a castle ruin located on a high plateau of the Härtsfeld in Unterkochen, with stone remains rising above the surrounding valleys and forests. The archaeological remnants show foundations, vaulted cellars, and other structural elements from the medieval period.

The castle was built in the 11th century on a site of earlier prehistoric fortifications and served as an administrative center for Ellwangen Monastery. Swedish troops destroyed the complex during the Thirty Years War in 1645.

The site carries the name of its medieval fortress and serves today as a destination for walkers interested in exploring historical ruins. The remains remind visitors of a period when this location held administrative importance.

The ruins are accessible via marked walking paths that require solid footwear and sure footing due to uneven ground. Visitors should expect open terrain and changeable weather conditions on the exposed plateau.

In 2008, volunteers of the Initiative Ruine Kocherburg uncovered a 12-metre stretch of the shield wall in the south-east, sealing it with cement injections and sandblasting the stone. In 2023 the initiative received one of the Silberne Halbkugeln awarded annually by the German National Committee for Monument Protection.