Nassenfels: Roman History and Hiking Trails

In Nassenfels, Roman remains meet hiking trails that connect the town with Möckenlohe and Egweil. The castle on the southern edge of town also tells the story of the area—and provides a clear framework for your visit: it can only be viewed from the outside. This lets you divide your time between tangible traces of history and getting out and about in the surrounding area.

Roman traces at the parish church

Two Roman inscribed stones are built into the wall to the right of the portal of St. Nicholas Parish Church. They point to Nassenfels as the most significant Roman civilian settlement north of the Danube. One of the stones names the Roman settlement “vicus Scuttarensium”.

The inscription and the historical context complement each other: the settlement’s name can be read directly on the stone, while Nassenfels’ significance north of the Danube reveals the wider historical context. Anyone interested in Roman history will find a tangible point of connection at the church portal.

Nassenfels Castle: history and visiting conditions

A ministerial family of the Bishops of Eichstätt at Nassenfels moated castle has been documented since 1189. For planning your visit today, it is important to know that Nassenfels Castle is privately owned and can only be viewed from the outside. Cultural Days are held at the castle every year. Before visiting, check the current visiting conditions and, if you want your visit to coincide with the Cultural Days, the event dates.

Hiking and exploring the Gleßbrunnen springs

Route 3, the main route of Altmühltal Nature Park, runs between Nassenfels and Möckenlohe and invites you to go hiking. Another route connection is the spur trail of the Urdonautalsteig, which links Nassenfels and Egweil to the route. Check for current route updates before setting out.

Nearby, between Nassenfels and Wolkertshofen, are the Gleßbrunnen springs: five interconnected spring pools, 5 to 9 metres deep. They can be reached via a farm track. A visit can be combined with the 8 km “Mühlenrunde im Schuttertal” hiking route. The 8 km refers to the Mühlenrunde; follow the posted nature conservation notices during your visit.

More cultural and natural history in Eichstätt

In the wider destination of Eichstätt, the Jura Museum Eichstätt has its own focus: fossils from the Solnhofen limestone slabs are at the heart of the exhibition; the museum also displays the original Eichstätt specimen of Archaeopteryx. Willibaldsburg Castle in Eichstätt offers another way to explore history. It was built in 1355 by Bishop Berthold, Burgrave of Zollern, and served as the bishops’ residence until 1725. The 420 m-long castle retains its walls and bastions, the armoury, the 63 m-long gate hall and the Gemmingen building with its two towers.

Eichstätt’s range of attractions also includes the 1,500 m² bastion garden at Willibaldsburg Castle. The Hortus Eystettensis, destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War, was brought back to life there after 400 years; visitors can discover many of the garden’s original plant species. Cathedral Square lies on the oldest inhabited ground in the city of Eichstätt.

Eichstätt also offers a recurring occasion for food lovers: several times a year, the Eichstätt Genuss-Wirte serve special dishes under the motto “Eichstätt kocht...”, including savoury Altmühltaler lamb dishes. For families, the Eichstätt Fossil Trail is another option: the circular route is moderately challenging, 9 km long and suitable for families. So while Nassenfels focuses on Roman inscriptions and hiking connections, Eichstätt offers its own highlights: a museum, castle, garden, cuisine and fossils.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Adelschlag, Altmannstein, Beilngries, Großmehring, Pollenfeld, Mörnsheim, Gaimersheim, Denkendorf.

Back to the main travel overview: Eichstätt.