Castles around Kißlegg, a municipality in Upper Swabia, Germany, offer insights into the region's rich past and architectural heritage. The area features historical castles set within natural landscapes, including castle parks and proximity to lakes. This blend of history and nature provides varied exploration opportunities.
Last updated: May 9, 2026
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Hiking around Kißlegg
Three-story pentagonal main building
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Neutrauchburg Castle is an excellent choice if you want to visit Isny im Allgäu. The accommodation offers a family-friendly environment with many amenities for travelers and also impresses with the ideal combination of price-performance, comfort and convenience.
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A very nice castle, good for taking photos if the cars weren't parked in front of it. Somehow that doesn't fit at all. The fact that the hotel operators don't do anything about it... a very bad image to the outside world...
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Story. The castle was probably built at the beginning of the 12th century, in 1145 the Lords of Ratzenried were first mentioned. The reason for its construction was possibly the same as that of Praßberg Castle near Wangen in the Allgäu, which was begun in 1123. It was intended to secure the fiefs of the St. Gallen monastery in the region and collect the royalties from the courts. The lords of Ratzenried were also servants of the monastery. The Ratzenrieders died out at the end of the 13th century, but the new lords of the castle also called themselves von Ratzenried, they lost the castle again around 1350 and moved to the Ostallgäu. From 1353 the lords of Molpertshausen sat at the castle, in 1369 Hans von Molpertshausen was officially enfeoffed with the lordship by the St. Gallen abbot. About ten years later, the castle had to be sold again, among other owners it belonged to the Humpis of Ravensburg from 1453. They also called themselves Humpis von Ratzenried from the 16th century. Jos Humpis von Ratzenried had the castle restored in 1502 for 11,000 guilders, as it had collapsed down to the walls. They owned the castle until 1647. Razenried Castle was burned down by the Swedes during the Thirty Years' War in 1632 and was not rebuilt for cost reasons. In 1806 the castle passed to the Kingdom of Bavaria, which ceded the Ratzenried dominion to Württemberg in 1810. The complex came from him in 1813 to the Counts of Beroldingen, and in 1908 the Counts of Waldburg-Zeil inherited the castle. Source: Wikipedia
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Unfortunately, only parts of the ruins remain of the once magnificent castle. Based on this and the reconstruction on an information board, one can well imagine how much space it once occupied. Little damsels & knights will definitely have fun exploring the grounds. 🪨✨️🤴🏻🧭👑⚔️👸🏼🏰✨️ It was very windy today, but generally there are some idyllic places to rest. A "local nobility in Ratzenried" was first mentioned in 1180. So the castle was probably built at the beginning of the 12th century. The castle was destroyed (and never rebuilt) on May 8th, 1632 by the Swedes.
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Count Franz Anton von Waldburg-Zeil inherited the county of Trauchburg in 1772. Since then the family has carried the name "Waldburg-Zeil-Trauchburg". Count Anton designated Mechensee as the new administrative center of the county. In 1785/86 the official building, today's Neutrauchburg Castle, marked the end of his extensive building work. It housed the chief office and the archives of the rulers. It was also Count Franz Anton who renamed Mechensee “Neutrauchburg”. Neutrauchburg Castle has only been used privately by the princely house of Waldburg-Zeil-Trauchburg since the 19th century, partly as a residence for the hereditary family and partly as a widow's residence for the princesses. From 1848 to 1856, the castle served as a private boarding school for Prince Constantin von Waldburg-Zeil-Trauchburg. The grandmother of today's Prince Erich von Waldburg-Zeil, Countess Monika, lived in Neutrauchburg Castle until her death in 1953. In 2008, the castle was extensively restored, converted into a hotel with great attention to detail and opened as a hotel and restaurant in the summer.
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Depending on the direction, either the brakes or the muscles are used here. For me it was the brakes. :-)
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The castle appears out of nowhere (coming from the south). Is privately owned and cannot be visited
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Kißlegg is home to two significant historical castles: the New Castle (Neues Schloss) and the Old Castle (Altes Schloss). The New Castle is a magnificent Baroque structure with public access to its interiors and park, while the Old Castle, a blend of Renaissance and Baroque styles, is still privately inhabited but offers event spaces in its renovated ancillary buildings.
The region showcases a variety of architectural styles. The New Castle in Kißlegg is a prime example of Baroque splendor, built in the 18th century. The Old Castle features a unique blend of Renaissance and Baroque, with its distinctive round corner towers and stepped gables. You can also find castle ruins like the Ratzenried Castle Ruins, offering a glimpse into medieval structures.
Yes, the New Castle (Neues Schloss) in Kißlegg offers public tours of its magnificent Baroque rooms, Rococo staircase, and castle chapel. It also houses a local history museum. The Old Castle (Altes Schloss) is privately owned and inhabited, so its main residence is generally not open to the public, though renovated ancillary buildings host events and a café.
Many castles and their surroundings offer family-friendly experiences. The New Castle in Kißlegg is set within an 8-hectare English park, perfect for strolls. The Fountain at Zeil Castle and Ratzenried Castle Ruins are also categorized as family-friendly highlights, often providing scenic views and open spaces for exploration.
The area around Kißlegg's castles is excellent for outdoor activities. You can find numerous routes for hiking, cycling, and running. For instance, the New Castle is situated within a spacious English-style park, ideal for leisurely walks. There are also routes like the 'Kisslegg Castle Park – Neues Schloss Kißlegg loop' for running, and the 'Hike in the Kißlegg lake district' for hiking, offering a blend of nature and historical sights.
Syrgenstein Castle is appreciated for its very nice location and great sight. It's often encountered along paths towards Harratried, with a beautiful route running alongside a stream, making it a picturesque point of interest during a walk or ride.
Yes, Neutrauchburg Castle has been extensively restored and converted into a hotel and restaurant, offering a unique opportunity to stay overnight or dine in a historic setting. Additionally, a renovated part of the Old Castle's ancillary buildings in Kißlegg houses a café, providing a chance to enjoy the historical ambiance.
The New Castle (Neues Schloss) in Kißlegg serves as a vibrant cultural hub. It regularly hosts events such as 'Castle Experience Day,' International Museum Day, various exhibitions, concerts, weddings, and even a Christmas market, offering diverse cultural experiences throughout the year.
The area around Zeil Castle, particularly its fountain, is known for offering a wonderful Alpine panorama on clear days from its 752 m high location on a glacial end moraine. It features beautiful old trees and a well-kept park, making it an energetic place to refuel and enjoy the views. It's also a popular spot for wedding photos.
While specific data isn't provided, the region's castles, especially those with parks like the New Castle, are generally best enjoyed during spring, summer, and early autumn. These seasons offer pleasant weather for exploring castle grounds, attending outdoor cultural events, and enjoying nearby hiking and cycling routes. Winter can be charming for Christmas markets or snowy landscapes, but some outdoor activities might be limited.
Absolutely. The Ratzenried Castle Ruins are highly recommended. They have been redeveloped with volunteer work and offer magnificent views of the mountains. It's considered one of the most beautiful ruins in the area and is easily accessible on foot or by bike.
The New Castle in Kißlegg is noted for its accessibility, being located directly on the Upper Swabian Baroque Street. While specific public transport routes to all castles are not detailed, Kißlegg itself is a municipality, suggesting general public transport options are available to reach the town center where the main castles are located. For more remote castles, a combination of public transport and walking or cycling might be necessary.


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