Culture at Hohenstein Castle Ruins

Culture at the Castle Ruins — Open Air at a Medieval Castle Ruin

The Hohenstein Castle Ruins perch on a distinctive rock on the Swabian Jura, between the three Hohenstein districts of Bernloch, Oberstetten, and Ödenwaldstetten, in the district of Reutlingen. In summer, the ruins transform into an open-air stage for one weekend: The Verein für angewandte Lebensfreude e.V. organizes a concert weekend on the historic walls together with the municipality of Hohenstein. In 2026, it will exceptionally take place at the end of June instead of in July as usual.

Two Evenings, Two Very Different Programs

The 2026 festival spans two consecutive evenings, each with a distinct character. Friday, June 26, 8 PM: The Gässlesrap Kollektiv brings hip-hop in the Swabian dialect to the stage — the beats are often built on jazz samples, and the lyrics play with the Swabian way of life, Alb slang, and village culture. A voice unlike any other in its genre.

Saturday, June 27, 8 PM: Powerage — one of Germany's best-known AC/DC tribute bands — brings the rock 'n' roll of the Australian originals to the castle walls. Riffs, sweat, sing-alongs, headbanging — the whole package.

The Castle Ruins as a Backdrop

The Hohenstein Castle Ruins were first mentioned in the 12th century. Today, they are one of the most impressive castle ruins on the Swabian Jura, with remnants of the keep, palace, and ring wall — and offering a wide view over the Alb plateau. It is precisely this atmosphere that makes the concert weekend special: the music takes place against a medieval backdrop, the audience sits and stands among the old walls, and the sunset colors the stone and the sky.

Hohenstein in the Swabian Jura Biosphere Reserve

The municipality of Hohenstein, with its eight districts, is part of the Swabian Jura Biosphere Reserve — a UNESCO-recognized protected area that preserves the cultural landscape with its juniper heaths, scattered orchards, and old farmhouses. You can reach the castle ruins on foot via short hiking trails from each of the three surrounding villages; it's only a few minutes from the parking lot below the mountain.