Hinterburg

Hinterburg is a castle ruin perched on a hilltop above the Neckar River valley with surviving stone walls and a standing tower. The remains show how such medieval fortifications were positioned to command views across the entire river corridor.

The fortress was founded in the 12th century by the von Steinach family as a watch post over the Neckar valley. Later, the minstrel Bligger II reinforced its defensive works, shaping how the structure evolved over time.

The ruins represent a remnant of medieval feudal power in the Neckar region and still influence how locals view their landscape today. You can sense how such strongholds once shaped daily commerce and movement through the valley.

The ruin is accessible via marked hiking paths and can be visited free of charge year-round. The climb is steep but rewarding, offering views across the river valley once you reach the site.

This fortress is one of four castles in Neckarsteinach, with each built during different phases of the 12th and 13th centuries. This rare clustering demonstrates how fiercely rival noble families competed to control the river corridor.