Location: Germany Bavaria Füssen
Castle ruins on a hill spur above Hopfen am See near Füssen – regarded as the earliest stone castle in the Allgäu, with views of the Ammergau Alps and the Tannheim mountains.
Interesting facts
- The castle is regarded as the earliest stone castle in the Allgäu.
- Stones from the ruins were used in the early 18th century to remodel St. Mang's Abbey.
- Volunteers consolidated the ruins at weekends over a period of ten years.
Why visit
- Views of the Ammergau Alps and the Tannheim mountains
- Early stone castle with a clearly recognisable layout
- Setting above Hopfen am See
The ruins of Hopfen Castle (Burg Hopfen) stand on a hill above Hopfen am See, a district of Füssen, at an altitude of just under 900 metres. The hilltop castle on a spur is regarded as the earliest stone castle in the Allgäu. Its origins are unclear; it may be the fortified castle to which the Augsburg anti-bishop Wigolt withdrew in 1078 during the Investiture Controversy.
From 1172 to 1191 a family of Welf ministerials lived here and took their name from the castle. Afterwards the Prince-Bishopric of Augsburg took over the site, and until 1322 it was the seat of the Füssen provost. Once the High Castle in Füssen had been built, it lost its importance in the 15th century and fell into decay; in the early 18th century the ruins served as a stone quarry for remodelling St. Mang’s Abbey.
From 1999 the remains were excavated and consolidated under archaeological supervision, carried out by volunteers from the Hopfen am See tourist association. Walls up to three metres high survive.
History
Origins unclear; possibly the refuge of anti-bishop Wigolt in 1078. Seat of a Welf ministerial family from 1172 to 1191, then owned by the Prince-Bishopric of Augsburg and seat of the Füssen provost until 1322. Decline in the 15th century, used as a quarry for remodelling St. Mang in the early 18th century. Excavated and consolidated from 1999 under the medieval archaeologist Joachim Zeune.
Special features
A slightly raised inner castle with a tower-like residential building and a chapel, a forecourt to the east and two ditches and an outer bailey to the north-east. The curtain wall has neither towers nor bastions.
Map
Opens an external route planner. Please check access and opening times before you set off.
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Sources
Image: Dark Avenger at German Wikipedia · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
