The city’s most important landmark and one of the most significant historic buildings in the whole of Bavaria is the Imperial Castle, known in German as the Kaiserburg.

Find a hotel in the centre of Nuremberg

The extensive complex comprises two castles – the Imperial Castle and the Burgrave’s Castle – as well as several buildings constructed by the Emperor.

It stands on a hill on the northern edge of the Old Town and formed an integral part of the city walls. Together with the walls, the Imperial Castle is considered one of the most impressive medieval fortifications in the whole of Europe.

The seat of the Holy Roman Emperors

The first buildings of the fortifications and the castle were erected as early as around the year 1000; the castle itself, in its present form, was built between 1027 and 1254. The German kings, who were crowned Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire by the Pope, did not have a single capital city, but moved from one imperial castle to another.

Nuremberg Castle became one of the largest and most important imperial residences, and with it the city itself, which enjoyed a golden age from the 11th to the 15th century. Some emperors stayed at Nuremberg Castle several times during their reign.

The imperial castle only lost its significance after the Thirty Years’ War; however, from the 19th century onwards, it was gradually restored, and was fully repaired after the Second World War.

Kaiserburg is, on the whole, superbly preserved, so you can admire most of the original buildings and interiors.

Notable buildings within the castle

Several parts of the Imperial Castle are open to tourists:

• Sinwell-Turm – the tallest of all the castle towers rises to a height of 41 metres, and the viewing platform offers a magnificent view of the whole of Nuremberg. The tower can only be reached by stairs; there is no lift
• Tiefer Brunnen (Deep Well) – the central building, featuring a well over 50 metres deep, hewn into the rock
• The Palas with the Imperial Chapel – the main castle building, with seven accessible halls and rooms, is also the most visited part of Nuremberg Castle
• Imperial Castle Museum – collections charting the castle’s complete history provide an insight into how the entire complex functioned
• Castle gardens – along with all the outdoor areas, the small castle gardens are open to the public free of charge

Admission and opening hours

The entire castle grounds are open daily from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm (between April and October) and from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm during the winter. Last admission is approximately 45 minutes before closing time.

The outdoor courtyards are accessible free of charge, whilst the interior areas are subject to an admission fee. Several ticket options are available:

	Standard admission	Students
Entire complex	9 eur	8 eur
Palas + Museum	7 eur	6 eur
Sinwell Tower + Tiefer Brunnen	4 eur	3 eur

Children and young people under 18 get in for free.

Official castle website:kaiserburg-nuernberg.de

Hotels near the Imperial Castle

If you’d like to stay right in the heart of medieval Nuremberg, choose one of the hotels in the immediate vicinity of the castle. Tips for the nearest accommodation:

• Burghotel Stammhaus *** – a cosy, simple hotel with all the amenities, about 100 metres from the entrance; prices from 80 eur per night for two
• Jugendherberge Nürnberg – a student hostel situated directly within one of the castle buildings offers triple rooms with en-suite bathrooms from 110 eur
• AZIMUT Hotel Nuremberg *** – one of the cheapest traditional hotels in the town centre can be found about 250 metres north of the castle, with prices from 60 eur per night for two

How do you get to the Imperial Castle?

Kaiserburg stands on a rocky promontory on the northern edge of the walls surrounding the Old Town. It is about 1.5 km’s walk from the main railway station.

Nearest public transport stops:

• Tiergärtnertor – tram line 4 (approx. 250 metres)
• Burgstr. – bus line 36 (approx. 250 metres)

There is no direct service from the main station to the castle. You can take the U2 or U3 underground lines, travel one stop to Plärrer, from where tram 4 and bus 36 run. For more information on getting around Nuremberg, see the Transport section.

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