Sparrenberg Castle

Sparrenburg a medieval castle is known located in the city of Bielefeld, Germany. The castle was built between 1240 and 1250 by the Counts of Ravensberg.

The castle has been rebuilt numerous times. Although it has often been besieged, it has never been occupied. After extensive restoration work, the castle is presented today as an imposing historical site. Visitors can explore the vast system of their underground passages and climb the tower to enjoy a magnificent view of the city of Bielefeld and its surroundings. The castle is also popular for weddings and other social events.

In 1879, the city of Bielefeld acquired the castle from the Prussian state. Their official real estate value was set at 70,000 marks, but the purchase cost only the value of 8,934.90 marks set with Prussian accuracy. Since then, the Sparrenburg is the landmark of the city and a popular destination for Bielefeld and its visitors , the castle is also popular for weddings and other social events.

Access : Coordinates: 52.0149, 8.52678 / Sparrenberg Castle It is situated on the Sparrenberg hill  in the Teutoburg Forest and towers 60 metres  above the city centre.

/ Numerous parking spaces are available to visitors and tourists right next to the Sparrenburg in Bielefeld.Visitors have to pay 60 cents per hour Monday through Friday between 8:00 and 19:00. This amount may increase in the future, therefore, this information is without guarantee.
/ By car : arriving via the motorway exit of the A2 “Bielefeld Zentrum” have to turn left from the Detmolder Strasse into the Lortzingstrasse. At the WDR state studio you will reach the Lessingstra?e. From there you land again on the mirror road-If you are traveling from the center of Bielefeld, drive along the Niederwall, cross the Kreuzstrasse / Detmolder Strasse and then land on the Spiegelstraaae. At the end of the street turn left. Now you only have to follow the street “Am Sparrenberg” up to the pay parking lots at the castle./
/ The tourist train : On the following weekends, the Sparrenmobile commutes between the Bielefeld old town and the Sparrenburg. / With the Bielefeld city train to Sparrenburg : the best option is to take line 1 to Adenauerplatz or line 2 to the Landgericht stop.

Highlights :

•  views : A trip to the Bielefeld landmark is worthwhile in every season, because of the mighty fortress offers the visitor a wonderful panoramic view over the university town at the Teutoburg Forest. The extensive castle grounds are located on one of the most beautiful mountain trails in Germany and are accessible throughout the year.
•  Casemate Tours : The 45-minute Casemate Tour gives visitors an exciting insight into more than 750 years of castle history and allows them to view the 300-meter-long underground passage system of the Sparrenburg Castle. Thick stone walls, dark dungeons and narrow light wells impressively illustrate the conditions under which the soldiers defended the castle and the city from enemy conquests.
•  In the courtyard is the monument of the great Elector, the Emperor Wilhelm II, as the last Earl of Ravensberg, donated the city and unveiled in the summer of 1900 solemnly.
•  Sparrenburg Festival : One attraction is the annual Sparrenburg Festival, held on the last weekend in July, during which the fairgrounds and traders reenact life in the Middle Ages. The festival took place until 2008 within the castle wall, but then had to dodge because of the archaeological sites on an area below.
•  Events for children at the Sparrenburg : The Sparrenburg in Bielefeld can be an exciting experience for all ages. The little knights or damsels get their money’s worth here. At a Sparrenburg rally, the girls and boys can explore the historic walls of the fortress. In addition, a colorful Easter egg search takes place every year at the Sparrenburg. In addition, children can celebrate their birthday on the grounds of Sparrenburg.
•  Bats on the Sparrenburg : The Sparrenburg today offers a variety of bat species a home. Thus, the fortress is also very important from the point of view of nature conservation. The animals hibernate here in the corridors and shafts. In the frost-free casemates of the castle, the evening sailors find perfect conditions. Around 14 different species have already been counted here. In order to protect the Fleidermause therefore no guides take place in the winter. The Sparrenburg and the surrounding green areas in Bielefeld have been a protected FFH area since the year 2000 (Flora-Fauna-Habitat).
•  Hiking on the Sparrenburg : There are around 580 kilometers of hiking trails around the city of Bielefeld, which lies directly on the Teutoburg Forest. In every season hikers get their money. Passing beeches, pines and other trees, the landmark of the city is a popular tourist destination. The area around the Sparrenburg in Bielefeld invites to hiking.

opening hours : Tower and Visitor Information Center: Apr.-Oct .: daily 10 am-6pm | Nov.-Mar: Sat., Sun. + public holidays 11am to 6pm (except 24.12.-1.01.) Weather permitting, opening hours may vary. Tel. 0521/516789.
Casemates: Apr. to Oct .: only in the context of a guided tour -Apr.-Oct. Daily 12 and 2.30 pm, Sun. and public holidays additional 4 pm.

Entrance fees: :Tower:€ 2.50 | 2.00 € for children, pupils, students, BI pass holders and people with disabilities.

Events : A special event at the castle is always the Sparrenburgfest in July, which takes visitors on a journey into the Middle Ages.

Activities : sightseeing / photo opportunities / trekking, The Sparrenburg is a particularly good location for walkers: One of the most beautiful high-altitude hiking trails in Germany, the Hermannsweg, runs right past the castle. /
/ Children can discover and learn a lot at Sparrenburg Castle. / Climb the Sparrenburg tower / Underground casemate tour on the Sparrenburg.

Go next : Bielefeld is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia –  Bielefeld old town / Gutersloh , a large town in North Rhine-Westphalia / Minden , an East Westphalian town on the Weser in North Rhine-Westphalia.