Wenzelburg

Lauf an der Pegnitz, Germany, Germany

---

Wenzelburg, also known as the former Wenzelschloss, is a medieval castle situated on an island in the Pegnitz River in the center of Lauf an der Pegnitz, Bavaria. The current fortress was built from 1356 onward by Emperor Charles IV on the site of an older castle and served as an imperial residence and important stopover on the route between Prague and Nuremberg. One of its most remarkable features is the historic Coat of Arms Hall, which contains 112 carved and painted coats of arms representing noble families from the Kingdom of Bohemia. This unique hall is considered one of the castle’s most significant medieval treasures. Over the centuries, the castle underwent several modifications and changed hands multiple times. Today, Wenzelburg is one of Lauf’s most important landmarks, offering visitors a glimpse into the region’s imperial and Bohemian heritage through exhibitions, guided tours, and its well-preserved medieval architecture.