Imperial Palace of Bad Wimpfen

Look up from the Neckar bridge at Bad Wimpfen and you see a picture-book skyline: towers, gables and walls on a ridge above the river. What stands up there is what remains of the largest Hohenstaufen imperial palace in Germany, about 215 m long and up to 88 m wide. Emperors came and went, the palace fell into decay and merged with the town. What survives are arcades, two keeps and a tradition that has almost vanished elsewhere: for centuries a tower warden lived at the top of the Blue Tower.

History: Barbarossa, Frederick II and a fire

Construction was probably begun by Frederick I Barbarossa shortly after the middle of the 12th century; his stay here is recorded for 1182. After a pause, work resumed from 1217 under Frederick II. He came to Wimpfen at least eight times, and it was here in 1235 that his rebellious son Henry (VII) submitted to him. Around 1320/22 a major fire destroyed much of the palace, and you can still see traces of it on the hall's arcades. After that the kings hardly used the complex, and the former palace grounds became the town's castle quarter.

What to see

• Blue Tower: The town's landmark is 58 m tall and was built after 1217 as the third keep. It is named after the blue slate roof added after a fire in 1848. In 1984 it burned out again after a lightning strike. You climb 134 steps to the warden's flat and another 33 to the platform at 32 m.
• Palas (great hall): The north and east walls of the emperor's hall still stand. Through three arcaded windows with 14 arches in total you look out over the Neckar valley.
• Palace chapel: Dedicated to St Nicholas, it adjoins the great hall.
• Red Tower: The 23 m keep at the eastern tip has carefully laid rusticated stone blocks from the 12th century at its base. Inside is a small exhibition on life in medieval Wimpfen.
• Steinhaus: The largest residential building of the palace, built after 1217, is now a museum.
• Schwibbogentor: This gate with its tower from around 1200 was the palace's southern entrance. Next to it is a former Jewish prayer house from 1580.

The tower warden

According to the town, Bad Wimpfen has the oldest unbroken tower-warden tradition in Germany. Until November 2017 someone always lived at the top. Blanca Knodel has held the post since 1996 and is one of the few female tower wardens in the country.

Opening hours and admission (as of October 2026)

• Blue Tower: Easter to mid-October Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00. From mid-October to Easter, Friday to Sunday and public holidays 10:00–18:00, and Tue–Sun during Baden-Württemberg school holidays. Admission €3, children aged 6 to 16 €1.50, families €6.
• Red Tower: Easter to the second weekend in October, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 12:00–17:00, admission €2, children €0.50.

Allow two to three hours for the tower, the palace and a stroll through the old town. The old town is hilly and the tower climb uses narrow stairs.

Getting there

Bad Wimpfen lies on the Neckar in Heilbronn district. The tourist information office is at Hauptstraße 45 in the middle of the old town, where you can also ask about guided tours.

Tripto tip

The classic photo of the skyline is taken from the riverbank at Wimpfen im Tal or from the Neckar bridge, especially at blue hour. In Advent, the Old German Christmas Market in the lanes is worth a visit. For more medieval castles, head down the Neckar to Guttenberg Castle with its bird of prey centre.