Restored
1109, but likely on site of older palisade castle
Kollegiatstuft(?) St. Jakob
Altenburg castle stands over the southwest corner of the medieval bishopric, Bamberg

Altenburg commands a full view of the city of Bamberg from its hill top vantage at the southwest corner of town. The city of Bamberg was pegged by King Henry II to be the capitol of the German kingdom but time has a way of changing the best laid plans. But its beginning was enough to create one of the most beautiful cities in Germany with a very rich history. The castle had its problems but glorious battle was not one of them. Fire destroyed the castle in 1553 at the command of the Margrave of Kulmbach, Alcibiates. An example of how a noble can feel threatened about a castle in his domain that is perhaps too strong.

While its lackluster history seems to have done little to justify the romantic reputation of castles in general Altenburg non-the-less enjoys tremendous local popularity. For many years in the fifties and sixties the castle was more popular for the live bear that resided there than its history. Today the bear is gone but the castle is easy to reach by auto and worth a short trip on a nice day. The castle belongs to an association formed to preserve the site and it keeps the castle interior private. The tower and grounds are open to the public and it is has an imbis on the grounds for impulse eating as well as a small restaurant.

There is a chapel on the right as you enter the portal at the bridge. Installing a chapel between castle proper & the enemy was a form of insurance often practiced.

In addition to the intentional destruction by fire in 1553 Altenburg's tower has had two other fires. It has been restored and at last visit was still open to the public. The surrounding wall is preserved with 3 wall towers. The lower section of the keep dates from after 1251 and the upper section from 1400.

In 1251 the castle came into the hands of the bishops of Bamberg and they resided there off and on until the 16th century. In the 14th-15th century it was designated a regional castle.

Since 1818 the castle has been in the hands of the Altenburg Association.


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