Burg Hoheneck

Burg Hoheneck sits on Schlossberg hill with surviving stone walls and a reconstructed northwest tower still visible today. Vineyard terraces spread around the site and offer views down across the Neckar River valley below.

Construction began around 1200 under Margrave Hermann V of Baden and the fortress passed to the Counts of Württemberg by 1360. The site then gradually declined over the following centuries until only these ruins remained.

The name comes from the elevated location and the fortress that once dominated the landscape. The ruins today stand as reminders of how medieval strongholds shaped settlement patterns and territorial authority in this region.

The ruins are only accessible through guided wine tours since the property is privately owned and regular public visits are not available. Wear sturdy shoes for the hilly terrain and check in advance about tour schedules and availability.

The fortress had no natural spring of its own and depended on the Schleifmühlquelle spring, first recorded in 1467 for supplying its water. This reliance on a distant water source was unusual for a castle that was otherwise designed to withstand isolation.

Location: Hoheneck

GPS coordinates: 48.91433,9.20945

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:22