Zollernschloss Balingen

Balingen, Germany, Germany

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Zollernschloss Balingen is a historic town castle in the southwestern part of the old town of Balingen in the Zollernalbkreis of Baden‑Württemberg, Germany, situated near the confluence of the Steinach and Eyach rivers.

The core of the complex dates back to the 13th century, beginning as a small zollerische knights’ castle that later became a typical late‑medieval Stadtschloss built by the counts of Zollern‑Schalksburg around 1370 and integrated into the town’s fortifications. 

Over time it served as the residence of the Württemberg Obervogt, then fell into disrepair, and was almost completely demolished in 1935 before being carefully rebuilt by the town of Balingen largely from original parts and in the original style.

Today the Zollernschloss houses the Museum für Waage und Gewicht, whose permanent exhibitions trace the regional history of weights and scales, while the adjacent Reiterhaus contains a youth hostel and the former Wasserturm at the southeast corner of the old town wall remains a visible remnant of the original castle and fortification.