Burg Stahelsberg

The construction of Burg Stahelsberg is presumed to have occurred in the 11th century, serving as the ancestral seat of the Lords of Stahelsberg. With the death of Rupertus de Stahelsberc in 1197, which also marks the first documented mention of the castle, the lineage died out. The heirs, the free nobles and later Counts of Truhendingen, planned to establish a Cistercian nunnery on the castle grounds. Bishop Friedrich II of Parsberg from Eichstätt confirmed this intention on August 14, 1245. The monastery had originally been founded before 1222 in Windsfeld near Gunzenhausen. However, after another mention in October 1251, it was relocated to Klosterzimmern in 1252 due to economic reasons and a donation from Rudolf von Hürnheim-Rauhaus. Following the relocation of the nuns, the monastic complex and the associated settlement on the Schlossberg fell into disrepair.

The former castle site is located in the southwestern part of the Franconian Jura low mountain range, on the Schlossberg, which rises 528.3 meters above sea level. This mountain spur extends westward into the Rohrach valley, approximately 70 meters above the valley floor. The site is characterized by steep slopes on three sides, while the eastern side transitions into a gently rising plateau.

Today, Burg Stahelsberg is protected as an archaeological monument in Bavaria. Few traces of the former buildings are visible, with only the ruin of a small church found on the northern side of the site. The impressive neck ditch and a section of rampart are the most prominent remnants of the complex.

• Ruine Steinhart (ruin, approx. 3525 m away)
• Schloss Polsingen (castle, approx. 4131 m away)
• Schloss Trendel (castle, approx. 4578 m away)
• Ruine Hohentrüdingen (ruin, approx. 5213 m away)