Willibaldsburg


The Willibaldsburg is a spur castle, built around the year 1353, in Eichstätt in Upper Bavaria. Until the middle of the 18th century it was the representative castle and seat of Eichstätt's prince-bishops.

Location

The fortified palace lies west of the Old Town on an elongated hill ridge, the Willibaldsberg, above the Altmühl valley. Its total length is about 420 metres and it is naturally well protected thanks to its location. The Altmühl river here forms a sharp bend which, due to the resulting ridge was an ideal spot for the medieval castle and later fortress.
The high medieval castle of Bishop Berthold lay on the western spur of the castle hill. This first castle probably comprised a large stone house, a tower and a chapel, protected by surrounding curtain walls and moats.

Literature