Esslingen Castle

A large part of the complex is freely accessible and is used in summer as a stage for open-air cinema screenings, etc. Drinking water reservoirs are located under the lawns and playgrounds north of the actual complex.

From the north, one enters the castle complex from the outer castle square via a bridge between the "Kanonenbuckel" (Cannon Hill) on the left and the younger utility buildings with the "Burgschänke" (Castle Tavern) on the right. From the "Kanonenbuckel" on the left, one has an overview of the entire complex. Between the "Kanonenbuckel" and the "Pulverturm" is an apothecary garden with a fountain and sundial; the "Pulverturm" itself was temporarily accessible from the castle moat and through a casemate passage, as well as via a newly installed spiral staircase, but it is currently (as of 2012) closed. A wall with numerous viewpoints has been preserved between the "Pulverturm" and the "Dicke Turm".

The "Dicke Turm", used as a restaurant, and the "Hochwacht" are connected by the "Seilergang", from which one has a beautiful view of the city center; next to the "Dicke Turm" is the passage to the "Burgsteige" (Castle Staircase), which leads down between vineyards to the "Kaisheimer Pfleghof" and the Esslingen market square. The continuation of the "Seilergang" forms, with the "Burgstaffeln" (Castle Steps), the only publicly accessible spur wall. This path leads to the lower end of Obere Beutau street and thus also to the market square. The fortification wall between the "Hochwacht" and the "Mélac-Häuschen" stands above a steep slope with gardens and residential houses. Another spur wall, which is not publicly accessible, leads downwards from the "Mélac-Häuschen", which in turn stands next to the "Burgschänke".