Roman inscriptions at the parish church, Nassenfels Castle and several hiking routes give the town a distinctive character. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between the town’s history and nearby destinations: the inscriptions are at the church in Nassenfels, while the Gleßbrunnen springs lie between Nassenfels and Wolkertshofen.

Roman traces at the parish church

Two Roman inscribed stones are built into the wall to the right of the entrance to St. Nicholas Parish Church. They point to Nassenfels as the most important Roman civilian settlement north of the Danube. One of the stones also gives the Roman place name “vicus Scuttarensium”. The town’s history can thus be traced through two specific inscriptions: one records a name, and both attest to the Roman importance of Nassenfels. If you are interested in history, comparing the two stones offers a direct point of connection at the church entrance.

Nassenfels Castle and visiting information

The moated castle is also part of the town’s historical heritage. A ministerial family serving the Bishops of Eichstätt at Nassenfels moated castle is documented from 1189. Nassenfels Castle is privately owned and can only be viewed from the outside. As access conditions may change, check before your visit. Cultural days are held at the castle every year; if you are planning your trip specifically around them, check the event dates in advance.

Hiking trails and nearby destinations

Route 3, the Magistrale Route of the Altmühltal Nature Park, runs between Nassenfels and Möckenlohe and is ideal for a hike. A spur trail of the Urdonautalsteig connects Nassenfels and Egweil to the route. The two trails can be distinguished by the places they are associated with: Möckenlohe lies along the Magistrale Route 3, while the spur trail connects Nassenfels and Egweil with the Urdonautalsteig. Check for current trail notices before setting out on the Urdonautalsteig.

The Gleßbrunnen springs between Nassenfels and Wolkertshofen are a natural attraction nearby. There are five interconnected spring pools, 5 to 9 metres deep. They can be reached via a farm track, and a visit can be combined with the 8 km “Mühlenrunde im Schuttertal” hiking route. Follow the nature conservation notices. As trail and access information may change, it is advisable to check before your visit. This will help you distinguish clearly when planning between the hiking routes in town and an excursion to the springs.

An additional cultural highlight in Eichstätt

In the wider travel destination of Eichstätt, the Jura Museum offers a different focus: the exhibition centres on fossils from the Solnhofen Plattenkalk limestone, and the museum also displays the original Eichstätt specimen of Archaeopteryx. This offers a distinct natural history highlight alongside the Roman inscriptions in Nassenfels.

The Willibaldsburg is also in Eichstätt. Bishop Berthold Burggraf von Zollern had it built in 1355; it served as the bishop’s residence until 1725. The 420-metre-long castle retains its walls and bastions, the arsenal, the 63-metre-long gate hall and the Gemmingen Building with its two towers. In the 1,500-square-metre bastion garden, the Hortus Eystettensis, destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War, was brought back to life after 400 years. Visitors can discover many of the garden’s original plant species there. These cultural attractions in Eichstätt add to the picture of regional history without replacing Nassenfels’ own distinctive features.

Discover more destinations: Adelschlag, Oberdolling, Mindelstetten, Beilngries, Wellheim, Titting, Gaimersheim, Altmannstein.

For the broader travel overview: Eichstätt.