Burgstall Spies

Burgstall Spies is a medieval castle site on a cone-shaped hill in northern Franconia at about 614 meters (2,000 feet) elevation. The grounds still show flattened rampart remains and ditch structures that outline the former defensive complex.

The Spiez family first appears in records in 1187 with Pertholt, and later Heinrich Spiez is mentioned in 1189 as connected to the Andechs-Meranien line. In 1397 forces under King Wenzel laid siege and overwhelmed the defending garrison.

The name comes from a family that lived here for generations and shaped the hilltop through their fortifications. The flattened walls and ditch remains visible today speak to how such places once served as protection points in the region.

The site is reached on foot from the village of Spies by heading north past a playground area. Since the ground sits on an exposed hilltop, wear sturdy shoes and bring clothing suited to open weather conditions.

During the 1397 siege by King Wenzel's troops, most defenders managed to escape while the attackers captured only two people inside. This suggests the castle layout once included multiple escape routes that are no longer visible on the hilltop today.

Location: Betzenstein

Elevation above the sea: 614.4 m

GPS coordinates: 49.63927,11.40028

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:25