Uffenheim: Discover the Castle and City Walls

Uffenheim turns the spotlight on its history: a walking tour focuses on historic buildings, and a large part of the wall surrounding the old town remains intact. If you enjoy exploring culture through tangible landmarks, you’ll find traces of the past in many forms—from a former moated castle to an old town moat. Churches, a museum and an open-air stage add to the range of things to explore. You can decide whether the history of the old town, or the surrounding countryside and events as well, should shape your stay.

City Walls, Gates and Towers

Uffenheim’s historic fortifications include Würzburg Gate, Ansbach Gate, Schnellerturm, Folterturm, Bürgerturm, Heinrichsturm and Schulzenturm. The names refer to gates and towers, the different elements that made up the city’s defenses. In 1583, a barbican was added in front of Würzburg Gate Tower as an additional defensive structure. Folterturm is a former defensive tower that projects from the southeastern city wall.

A section of the former water-filled town moat is still visible between Folterturm and Ansbach Gate. Together, the circuit of walls, towers and moat provide a clear picture of the different elements that made up the historic fortifications. This gives you a walking-tour theme that goes beyond a single building.

Castle and City History

The Margrave’s Castle is a former moated castle in the southwestern quarter of the walled old town. Its courtyard tower dates from 1481, when a lowland castle that had burned down was rebuilt as a moated castle. The castle’s history is thus linked to a change in its design, while the fortifications recall the defense of the town.

Churches and historic institutions also tell different sides of the town’s story. The town church is the fourth documented stone church on its site. The town pharmacy was founded in 1736 by Johann Georg Model. The foundation of the hospital church originally served as a poorhouse. A town walking tour can combine a stroll through the old town with visits to the town church and the hospital church. If you’d like to plan this tour, check the dates for your trip. The cultural offering also includes the Museum of Civil and Military Technology at Wiesenstraße 20.

Open-Air Stage and Uffenheim Switzerland

The pavilion by the castle is an open-air stage in the town center for outdoor events, musical performances and talks. If a particular event is important to your trip, it’s worth checking the program for your preferred dates. That way, you can combine an interest in history with the possibility of attending an event.

The Uffenheim Switzerland area offers a different change of scene: that’s the name given to the hilly landscape east of Bürgerturm. In winters with plenty of snow, its slopes were used for sledding. This former use adds a traditional form of winter recreation to the area’s built heritage.

Getting There and Accommodation

Uffenheim is right on the A7 and Federal Highway 13. If you’re arriving by car, these two routes can help you find your way. A digital town map is also available on the town’s website.

Uffenheim has a nature campground at the outdoor swimming pool. Check its availability before your trip. When choosing where to stay, you can weigh up your interests in local history, events and the landscape, and plan how long to stay accordingly.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Markt Nordheim, Dietersheim, Gutenstetten, Burghaslach, Bad Windsheim, Langenfeld, Burgbernheim, Neuhof An Der Zenn.

Back to the main travel guide: Neustadt A.D.Aisch-Bad Windsheim.