Heroldsberg: Castles, Art and Historic Trails

Heroldsberg combines a rich history of castles with works of art, historic buildings and trails through the forest. Around the Upper Market and in the Protestant Church of St. Matthew, some of the town’s distinctive cultural highlights are close together; hiking routes offer a different focus.

Four Castles and Seven Centuries of Art

From the late 15th century onwards, the Nuremberg patrician Geuder family had four castles built at the Upper Market in Heroldsberg. The medieval White Castle presents changing and permanent exhibitions across three floors, featuring works of art spanning seven centuries. The Red Castle brings together architectural history and a notable guest: Martin III Geuder had it built in 1489; Albrecht Dürer was a guest there in 1510.

The Yellow Castle was built in the second half of the 16th century as Hieronymus Geuder’s manor house, on the foundations of an older residence. These different building periods provide several concrete points of reference for the history of the castles. Those interested in art and architecture will also find an early work by Tilman Riemenschneider in the Protestant Church of St. Matthew: a crucifix.

Historic Traces in the Townscape

Opposite St. Matthew’s Church stands the rectory, a picturesque half-timbered building considered one of the oldest in Germany. It is first mentioned in 1427 and was most recently renovated in 1983. The Upper Market is also home to three medieval draw wells. Together with the castles, these places reveal different sides of Heroldsberg’s history: imposing manor houses, an early landmark in the townscape and historic wells.

Two medieval atonement crosses dating from 1587 recall another chapter. They stand in the forest south of the Tuspo Heroldsberg sports grounds, bear the initials E.V.V.G.S. and S.O., respectively, and commemorate the murder of Nuremberg horsemen. Their precise location and inscriptions make the crosses a historic destination in their own right, alongside the buildings at the Upper Market.

Forest Trails for Different Distances

The approximately 3 km Kultur-Rundweg (Cultural Circular Trail) leads to numerous listed buildings; information boards explain their history and distinctive features. Its stated length and the explanations combine exercise with local history. Check local route details before your trip.

For forest hikes, Heroldsberg has the permanent IVV hiking trail “4-Schlösser Gemeinde” (Four-Castle Municipality), with routes of 5 km, 10 km and 16 km. The three distances differ clearly in length, helping you choose how far you plan to walk; the route description identifies them as forest hiking trails. Check the route details before setting out. A permanent AOK fitness trail has also been established at the Johannisthal car park on the B2.

A Destination Nearby

The Teufelsbrünnlein (Little Devil’s Spring) lies between Heroldsberg and Kleingeschaidt, in the “Hermannswinkel” forest near Reigelsberg. From the Johnnisthal hiking car park, follow the path about one kilometre east to a signpost; from there, it is a ten-minute walk to a large rock. A devil is carved into the rock face and painted red. This detour differs from the destinations in town because of its forest setting and the walk to the rock.

Getting There and Choosing Your Stay

Heroldsberg is easily reached from Nuremberg by the Gräfenbergbahn railway; check the timetable separately. By road, the town has good transport links to the A3 motorway. If you are looking for accommodation, these travel options can inform your choice of destination, along with your interest in castles, churches or forest hikes. Heroldsberg’s three IVV trail distances also provide a concrete guide to your planned hiking distance, without requiring you to treat different trails as equivalent.

In the Wider Erlangen-Höchstadt Travel Destination

The wider Erlangen-Höchstadt travel destination also offers more ideas for planning your trip. Its well-developed network of cycling and hiking trails stretches from the Aischgrund to the Erlanger Oberland. In Kalchreuth, a three-kilometre circular trail runs through the cherry orchards. Information boards cover cherries, the surrounding landscape and Kalchreuth; interactive stations focus on nature. This adds a distinct landscape and nature experience to the wider destination, alongside Heroldsberg’s castles and historic traces.

Discover more destinations: Eckental, Röttenbach, Hemhofen, Gremsdorf, Adelsdorf, Bubenreuth, Höchstadt An Der Aisch, Heßdorf.

Back to the wider travel overview: Erlangen-Höchstadt.