The town castle (“Stadtschloss”)
The town castle ("Stadtschloss") is the most important historical building in Treuchtlingen. Since a complete renovation in 1982/84 the Stadtschloss has been used as a tourist and health resort information centre as well as the information centre for the Altmuehl Valley National Park.
The jewel in the castle’s crown is the Earl's hall (“Grafensaal”) on the highest floor which is used for concerts, lectures and conventions.
The Stadtschloss stands on the site of the town’s oldest stately home. In 1575 the Erbmarschall Veit from the Treuchtlingen line of the count of Pappenheim dynasty, transformed the town castle into a residential castle (“Wohnschloss”). The character of the fortified and moated castle has been well preserved.
The renaissance building was passed on to the Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach after the Treuchtlingen line of the Pappenheimer dynasty died out. The coat of arms which decorates the castle’s entrance gate, named the “Brandenburg Gate” commemorates this takeover.
In 1798, during the reign of the Prussian Royal family, the north-east wing of the castle was auctioned off. It was bought by the entrepreneur Johann Caspar Aurnhammer who set up a Lyonese ware manufacture at this location. In 1979 the town bought the Stadtschloss from the Aurnhammer family. An exhibition about the Aurnhammer era demonstrates the history of the company as well as products from the Lyonese manufacturing industry in Treuchtlingen.
The focal point of the Stadtschloss is the Altmuehl Valley information and environmental centre located on the first floor and in an historical stone vaulted cellar. It features permanent exhibitions on early human settlements in the area, the Altmuehl National Park and the geology of the region. A nature adventure room and multimedia exhibits allow visitors to further their knowledge of the park and its fascinating landscape. On the ground floor, one can find Treuchtlingen‘s tourist and health resort information centre.
