The best walks and hikes around Neustadt am Kulm

Burgstall Rauhenkulm There are no reliable sources regarding the origin of the high medieval castle. Although the deed of foundation of the Benedictine monastery Michelfeld from 1119 states that Bucco de Culmen of Leuchtenberg had a residence on one of the two Kulms. He would thus be the first scientifically documented lord of the castle. However, it is unclear whether Rauhe Kulm or Kleine Kulm is meant. It is conceivable, but unlikely, that it was a building in the village of Kulmain. Excavations have brought shards, arrowheads, crosses, and coins from this period to light. According to Losert, the construction of the Rauher Kulm rampart was part of Emperor Otto I the Great's strategy to contain the impending danger from the Hungarians. Sandstone, timber framing, and bricks were used in the construction of the castle around 950. In addition to military use, the castle was also inhabited by women and children, as evidenced by various finds, including several spindle whorls, a weaving sword, and a large iron knife. Burgrave Friedrich III of Nuremberg acquired the castle, including the associated places, from the Landgraves of Leuchtenberg in 1281. The former tower was part of the margravial signaling system. During the Second Margravial War under Margrave Albrecht Alcibiades, the castle, as well as the Schlechtenkulm castle on Kleine Kulm, was destroyed in 1554. Before the destruction, both castles were besieged for about a year by troops from the imperial cities of Nuremberg, Bamberg, Würzburg, and Bavaria under the command of the electoral district administrator Hans Umseher von Waldeck, and the inhabitants were starved. The fortress commander von Heydenab surrendered the fortress on Rauhen Kulm on June 28, 1554. Afterwards, it was blown up with screws, the triple walls were razed and destroyed. Stones from the medieval ramparts of both castle sites were later used in part to reinforce the city walls of Neustadt. Today, only traces of the terrain are visible of the Burgstall Rauhenkulm. Remains of the surrounding rampart and the location of the tower in close proximity to the current observation tower are recognizable. The cartographer Johann Christoph Stierlein created the first very accurate topographical map of the mountain with the ruin. Source: www.wikipedia.de

There are no reliable sources on the origin of the high medieval castle. Although the foundation charter of the Benedictine monastery of Michelfeld from 1119 states that Bucco de Culmen of Leuchtenberg had a residence on one of the two Kulms. He would thus be the first scientifically documented castle lord. However, it is unclear whether the Rauhe Kulm or the Kleine Kulm is meant. It is conceivable, but unlikely, that it was a building in the village of Kulmain. Excavations have brought to light shards, arrowheads, crosses, and coins from this period. According to Losert, the construction of the Rauher Kulm fortification was part of the strategy of Emperor Otto I the Great, who wanted to contain the approaching danger from the Hungarians. Sandstone, half-timbering, and bricks were used in the construction of the castle around 950. In addition to military use, the castle was also inhabited by women and children, as evidenced by various finds, including several spindle whorls, a small weaving sword, and a large iron knife. Burgrave Frederick III of Nuremberg acquired the castle, including the associated places, from the Landgraves of Leuchtenberg in 1281. The former tower was part of the margravial signaling system. During the Second Margraves' War under Margrave Albrecht Alcibiades, the castle, as well as the Schlechtenkulm castle on the Kleine Kulm, was destroyed in 1554. Before the destruction, both castles were besieged for about a year by troops from the imperial cities of Nuremberg, Bamberg, Würzburg, and Bavaria, under the leadership of the electoral landrichter Hans Umseher von Waldeck, and the inhabitants were starved. The fortress commander Heydenab surrendered the fortress on the Rauhen Kulm on June 28, 1554. Subsequently, it was blown up with screws, the triple walls were razed and destroyed. For the reinforcement of the city walls of Neustadt, stones from the medieval ramparts of both castle sites were later used in part. Today, only traces of the terrain are visible from the Rauhenkulm castle site. Remains of the surrounding wall and the location of the tower are recognizable in the immediate vicinity of the current observation tower. The cartographer Johann Christoph Stierlein created the first very accurate topographical map of the mountain with the ruin. Source: www.wikipedia.de

Pilgrimage Church of St. Barbara Traces of prehistoric settlements can be found on the Barbaraberg. In pre-Christian times, a Slavic cemetery with 161 documented graves, discovered in 1972 during excavations, was located here. Archaeologically secured is a Romanesque hall church from around the year 1000. It is reported that pilgrimages to the "Church of St. Barbara" and to the wooden carved image of St. Barbara took place as early as the end of the 14th century. During the Reformation, these pilgrimages were forbidden, which led to decay. In 1661, at the instigation of the Kemnath parish priest Balthasar Grosch, the chapel was rebuilt and adorned with the miraculous image that had been found buried in a stable. Under Abbot Dominikus I. von Lieblein, a church in the Rococo style was built here between 1741 and 1756 in honor of St. Barbara. The church building was cruciform and had five altars. The vaults of the nave were decorated with images from the life of St. Barbara. Pilgrimages to the Barbaraberg were resumed. In the course of secularization, the Barbara Church was also closed and sold in 1803. The miraculous image and the relics of St. Barbara remained on site, while the rest of the furnishings were sold to other parishes. The church space was converted into a barn. Due to damage to the roof, the crossing dome and the interior were demolished in 1888. In 1914, the church was partially incinerated by a lightning strike. The Barbara statue in the gable of the facade, which has been headless ever since, still commemorates this. In 1919, the Munich cathedral chapter canon Michael Hartig acquired the remains and had a small chapel built, which was consecrated in 1921. Originally, he wanted to establish a recreational home for the diocesan priests of Munich here. However, the association founded for this purpose was dissolved in 1929. He then donated the buildings to the Speinshart Monastery, in whose possession they remain to this day. In 1976/77, an external renovation took place, followed by interior restoration from 1992 to 1994. What remains of the church is the still magnificent facade, flanked by buildings that formerly served for the accommodation of monastery members and later for agricultural purposes. Sparse remains of the walls of the former church are still preserved. Source: Excerpts from www.wikipedia.de

It's always wonderful to be here again

It's best combined with a tour of Speinshart Monastery. The Stations of the Cross and Barbaraberg Church are well worth seeing.

very beautifully laid out path

great view from the Kulm

challenging climb - respect to our little miniature pinscher lady that she always found a way to overcome it