Burg Straßberg, Medieval stone castle in Straßberg, Germany

Burg Straßberg is a spur castle on the 755 m Schlossberg above Straßberg in the Zollernalbkreis. Its compact layout consists of a pentagonal residential and defensive tower built of bossed ashlar blocks, a palas with half-timbering on top, and a gatehouse facing a neck ditch partly cut into the rock. Remains of the walls that enclosed the forecourt survive.

A feudal castle arose around 1150 at a strategic point on the old Roman road from Sulz to Laiz. From the mid-13th century it was enlarged to its present form. In 1345 the abbess of Buchau enfeoffed Rudolf zu Reischach with castle and village; in 1508 the fief passed to Wolfgang von Homburg, who received high jurisdiction in 1511. In 1597 the castle was rebuilt as a residential palace.

The name likely comes from the Roman and medieval road that climbs steeply north of the castle from the Schmeiental up to the Alb plateau near Winterlingen. In 1625 Abbess Katharina von Spaur rode to Straßberg unannounced, had the subjects of the three communities pay homage, and took the lordship into direct possession; her Spaur charter of 22 November 1625 released the subjects from serfdom.

The site is accessible via paths on the hillside, offering good views across the surrounding landscape. The ground is uneven in places due to the age of the stone work, so sturdy footwear is recommended.

In 1783 the lords had one and a half storeys of the watchtower and one storey of the castle's dwelling house demolished, so the present height is a reduced form. The five-sided residential and defensive tower is built of bossed ashlar blocks, and the gatehouse borders a neck ditch partly cut into the rock.