Prunn: Castle, Keep and the Song of the Nibelungs

Prunn Castle combines medieval architectural history with a connection to the literary tradition of the Song of the Nibelungs. The castle stands on a steep Jurassic limestone crag above the Altmühl Valley. One of its oldest surviving structures is the 31-metre-high keep. Prunn Castle is also associated with the discovery of the Prunn Codex, an important complete manuscript of the Song of the Nibelungs. A visit therefore offers a look at both the surviving castle complex and the literary history linked to the codex.

Experience Prunn Castle on a guided tour

Prunn Castle can usually only be visited as part of a guided tour. The guided museum tour lasts about 45 minutes. The tour includes the palas, former living quarters, the castle chapel, the medieval residential tower, the Dürnitz, the keep and the ladies’ chamber. The living quarters, chapel and towers offer different insights into the castle complex. Check the visitor information before you arrive, as visitor arrangements may change.

The castle complex and the Prunn Codex

The steep Jurassic limestone crag above the Altmühl Valley provides the castle’s scenic setting. The 31-metre-high keep is one of the oldest surviving structures; this measurement gives a sense of the scale of this individual structure without describing the dimensions of the entire castle complex. Another historical connection is the Prunn Codex: the castle is associated with the discovery of this complete manuscript of the Song of the Nibelungs. Architectural history and medieval literary history thus come together here in two specific themes.

Riedenburg: more cultural attractions and hiking destinations

In the wider destination of Riedenburg, Rosenburg Castle is a landmark. During flight displays, golden eagles, white-tailed eagles, vultures, kites and falcons can be seen flying freely at close range. If you would like to include a display in your plans, check the dates in advance. Another way to learn about the town’s history is to join the “Burggraf von Riedenburg” tour, which takes you through the historic old town and offers entertaining and fascinating details about Riedenburg’s history.

The Kristallmuseum Riedenburg also has its own cultural focus. Special children’s tours introduce children to the world of gemstones. The Catholic Parish Church of St. John the Baptist is a Baroque gem, with large Baroque windows framed by stucco ornamentation. These attractions represent different themes in Riedenburg: local history, gemstones and Baroque architecture.

For those interested in castles and hiking, the ruins of Rabenstein and Tachenstein are further historical points of interest in the wider destination of Riedenburg. Rabenstein is the oldest castle complex in Riedenburg. At Tachenstein, remains of the keep stand around ten metres high. The ruin was probably built in the 12th or 13th century and was already mentioned as a ruin in the 16th century. A viewing platform at Tachenstein offers panoramic views of Riedenburg’s old town and the surrounding Jurassic slopes. Both ruins can be explored more closely on a hike along the Drei-Burgen-Steig trail.

Another hiking option expressly connects Riedenburg with Prunn Castle: a scenic circular trail leads from Riedenburg in the Altmühl Valley through the “Klamm und Kastlhäng” nature reserve to the castle. Sure-footedness is required on the section through the gorge. This makes the castle a possible destination for a longer hike; when planning, pay particular attention to this requirement on the section mentioned.

For the wider travel overview: Riedenburg.