Object description:
Willibaldsburg Castle – Eichstätt
The first castle buildings on Willibaldsberg were erected by the bishops of Eichstätt in 1355. Conversion to a prestigious residence under Prince-Bishop Johann Conrad von Gemmingen (reigned 1595 –1612) was carried out by the Augsburg architect Elias Holl. The episcopal court moved to the new city residence in the mid-18th century, and Willibaldsburg Castle was partly levelled during the 19th century. The Gemmingen Building dominates its appearance today. The massive two-towered façade originally had three storeys and onion domes on the towers.
The ‘Bastion Garden’ was opened in 1998 – based on the Hortus Eystettensis, a book of copperplate engravings published in 1613 by the apothecary and botanist Basilius Besler (1561 –1629), the garden provides information about the flora included in the historical ‘Hortus Eystettensis’ that was laid out by Besler starting in 1592.
Address
Burgstraße 19
85072 Eichstätt
08421 4730
Current information
No access by car or bus; footpath not barrier-free
Due to construction work, access to Willibaldsburg Castle by car or bus is not possible at present. There are only 2 disabled parking spaces available (by prior arrangement; phone +49 8421 602980). In order to use the parking spaces, a disabled person's ID card with the symbol aG must be presented. Please make an appointment at least one day in advance. There are no further parking possibilities.
Please note that the footpath to the castle (Mondscheinweg) is not barrier-free (gravel, steep incline, many steps).
Observation tower closed
Due to construction work, access to the observation tower is closed until further notice.
Opening hours
April-3 October: 9 am-6 pm
4 October-March: 10 am-4 pm
closed Mondays
(except: 6 January, Easter Monday, 1 May, Whit Monday, 15 August, 3 October, 1 November)
Last admission 45 minutes before closing time
Closed on: January 1, Shrove Tuesday, December 24/25/31
Accessibility
The fountain and tower of Willibaldsburg Castle and the Museum of Pre- and Early History are not barrier-free. Most of the Jura Museum is accessible for wheelchair users; the access to the Bastion garden is difficult because of steep slopes.
Further information
Service (leaflets, photo/film, links …)
Jura Museum (Branch of the Bavarian State Scientific Collections)
08421 602980-0
www.jura-museum.de
Museum of Pre- and Early History (Historical Association of Eichstätt)
08421 89450
www.histver.de
Administrative office
Schloss- und Gartenverwaltung Ansbach
Promenade 27
91522 Ansbach
0981 953839-0
Fax 0981 953839-40
sgvansbach@ bsv.bayern.de
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