Hohenasperg, Fortress and prison in Ludwigsburg, Germany
Hohenasperg is a fortress built atop a steeply rising hill in the Ludwigsburg district that stands roughly 90 meters above the surrounding landscape and is defined by steep overhangs. The facility features fortified structures with a wide plateau and now operates as a central hospital and prison for the Baden-Württemberg penal system.
The hill was inhabited in ancient times and served as a Celtic stronghold around 500 BC before later becoming a Frankish gathering place. Its transformation into a state prison began in 1737, when the fortress took on its role as a confinement facility.
The name reflects its location atop a steep hill, and the fortress remains known for housing famous prisoners like poet Christian Friedrich Daniel Schubart, whose political writings led to his confinement. The prison museum today displays personal stories of 22 inmates, offering visitors insight into how this place shaped individual lives.
The site sits atop a steep hill, so while public transport connections exist, reaching the fortress requires physical effort and climbing. Wear comfortable shoes and prepare for a demanding walk to fully experience the location.
Locals humorously called this place Württemberg's highest mountain despite it being merely a hill. The joking nickname reflects how the fortress dominated the regional landscape and local imagination.
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