Burg Aichelberg, Fortified church in Aichwald, Germany

Burg Aichelberg is a former fortified church in Aichwald, first mentioned in 1460 and likely developed from a pilgrimage chapel. It stands at about 472 m on the highest point of Aichelberg, at the junction of Strümpfelbacher Straße and Schurwaldstraße. The defensive wall survives at half height, and the tower choir has a ribbed vault, arrow slits and three late Gothic tracery windows.

The church was first mentioned in 1460 and probably grew out of an earlier pilgrimage chapel. It became the parish church in 1482, was initially served from Stetten, and received its first resident pastor in 1564. The defensive wall survives at half height, and the formerly isolated field church was overtaken by housing in 1975.

The church is dedicated to Mary, a dedication tied to a local legend: a royal messenger was said to be killed by three robbers at this spot, and a stone cross at the churchyard gate is claimed to date from the 13th century. A rose bush is said to have grown over the cross before the church was built, hence the Marian dedication in the sign of the rose.

The church sits on a hilltop in Aichwald and is accessible on foot via local paths. Parking areas are available nearby for those arriving by car.

The church is said to stand where a royal messenger was killed by three robbers; the atonement cross at the churchyard gate is claimed to date from the 13th century. A rose bush is said to have grown over the cross, and the church was built there and dedicated to Mary under the sign of the rose.