Alte Veste Castle (Ruin)

The fortification, originally mentioned in the 13th century as a motte-and-bailey castle under the name Burg Berch, was sold in 1306 by Heinrich von Berg, an imperial ministerialis from Zirndorf, to the Burgrave of Nuremberg, having previously been pledged to a Nuremberg financier. During the War of the Cities from 1387 to 1389, the defensive structures of the Alte Veste were destroyed by the Nurembergers in 1388. In the Thirty Years' War, specifically in 1632, the ridge around the ruin gained notoriety as the site of a multi-day battle between Wallenstein's imperial troops and the Swedish forces under King Gustav II Adolf. After fighting, the Swedes retreated, which is historically considered a victory for Wallenstein. In 1882, on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the battle, an observation tower was erected on the remaining ruins. This tower was used by the Wehrmacht as an anti-aircraft base during World War II and was blown up shortly before the end of the war, on April 19, 1945. A new observation tower was built in 1979/80 and inaugurated on September 17, 1980.