Rabenstein Castle

Natural paradise, excursion destination and gastronomic experience

The magnificent Rabenstein Castle is located on a rocky peak jutting out into the Ailsbach valley.

During the day, excursionists and castle guests are offered a variety of experiences in the natural paradise of Rabenstein Castle:

Guided tours through the castle's ceremonial, armoury and knights' halls and guided tours through the stalactite wonderland of Sophie's Cave including a viewing of one of the most complete cave bear skeletons in the world as well as fascinating flight shows in the falconry.

From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the rustic tavern "Gutsschenke" with its idyllic beer garden provides traditional Franconian food and drinks.

Hiking trails around the castle invite you to walk for kilometres and hike across wide meadows and through rugged valleys.
The largest medieval market in northern Bavaria takes place twice a year at Rabenstein Castle.

Burg Rabenstein

Opening hours and prices

You can find the daily updated tour times here:
Online-Tickets

Castle tours in winter 2023/2024
Sundays
11:00 a.m. / 12:00 p.m.

Castel tours summer season (March 22nd - November 3rd 2024)
Monday - closed
Tuesday - Friday
11:00 a.m./ 12:00 p.m. / 1:00 p.m. / 2:00 p.m. / 3:00 p.m. / 4:15 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday + public holidays
11:00 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. (continuously)

Ticket price
Single ticket castle:
Adult 8.00 € / Children (4-14 y.o.) 4.50 €
Groups of 15 people and more:
Adult 7.50 € / Children (4-14 y.o.) 4.00 €

Please note
Dogs are not permitted in the castle.
During closed events in the castle,
there may be changes to the tour times.

Book your tickets now

Events at Burg Rabenstein

With its elegant rooms and halls, Rabenstein Castle offers the ideal setting for weddings, family and company celebrations of all sizes. As a hotel, it has 22 individually designed, highly comfortable rooms and its seclusion also makes it a popular conference venue. Cultural and culinary evening events take place regularly, where not only the visitors, but apparently also the more than 800-year-old castle itself, enjoy the glamour and life!

The restaurant is open from 6 to 9 pm (Tuesday to Sunday), unless the castle is exclusively rented out to a private party. Please book a table in advance.

Upcoming events

Dinnershows

in the "Renaissance-Hall"

Enjoy an evening with great entertainment and culinary delights

Special culinary events

in our restaurant

From wild boar barbecue buffet to candlelight dinner and whisky tasting

Concerts

in the "Renaissance-Hall"

International artists and local icons perform in a unique setting

[Translate to Englisch:] Detailimpression Waffen mit Rüstung

History and trivia

The history of Rabenstein Castle, which today towers defiantly and imposingly over the wide, gently curving Ahorntal valley and the rugged, bizarre Ailsbach valley, begins around 1188.

The first building was erected on the foremost rocky outcrop in the last quarter of the 12th century under Eschwin de Rabenstein, documented as an ancestor. It was taken over by the Schlüsselberg family in 1219. The castle buildings were extended and enlarged under the ministerial family of the "Groß von Trockau". In 1349, the Burgraves of Nuremberg took over Rabenstein Castle and the lands belonging to it.

During the Thirty Years' War, the castle was almost completely destroyed and remained in ruins for many years. With the death of Peter Johann Albrecht in 1742, the Rabenstein dynasty in Ahorntal finally died out.

The manor, which had been acquired by the Counts of Schönborn in the meantime, was given a baroque castle complex in 1830, where Ludwig I, King of Bavaria, and his wife Theresie were guests in the same year. The castle and its lands remained in the possession of the Counts of Schönburg until 1975.

Since 2004, the castle has been managed by Burg Rabenstein Event GmbH, which has completed the renovation and refurbishment work initiated in 1970 and has brought the castle back to life with a variety of uses. Take a look around the castle and learn interesting details - the best way to do this is to take part in one of the guided tours that take place several times a day.