Castle Barrel

Beneath the large Knights' Hall of the Museum of Ancient Cultures, in the cellar of Hohentübingen Castle, is the oldest preserved giant wine barrel in the world. In 1546, Duke Ulrich of Württemberg (1487–1550) had this barrel built by the Bönnigheim cooper Simon Binder. The volume of the barrel is about 84,000 liters. Today, the barrel holds an entry in the Guinness Book of Records due to its age.

Since 1991, the oldest giant barrel was no longer open to visitors because a colony of mouse-eared bats lives in the rear area of the castle cellar. In 2018, however, access to this superlative was granted again under strict precautions, including that guided tours are only offered during the winter months.

Get additional information on the Museum | Ancient Cultures website and tickets at www.fassticket.de.

Highlights of the Collection

A postcard of the castle barrel, with two men in suits and cylinders standing next to it and a boy looking out from the opening; to the bottom right is the capture "Tübingen//Das grosse Fass im Schlosskeller/85,800 Liter haltend" (Tübingen/the big barrel in the castle cellar/holding 85,88 litres)
A postcard of the castle barrel
The castle barrel in its full glory
Three quarter view of a giant wine barrel in a vaulted cellar, jacked up upon wooden beams
Photo: MUT | Valentin Marquardt
Inside view of the barrel with with wooden frame made of spokes and two longitudinal struts
Photo: MUT | Valentin Marquardt
The inside of the huge castle barrel

Visit Castle Barrel

Opening hours

Open to the public from November 1st to March 15th
Get your ticket at www.fassticket.de

Tours

Guided tours at 2pm and 4pm
Group and school tours by appointment

Book a tour
Tel: 07071-2977579

Curator

Museum of the University of Tübingen
Tel: 07071-2977579

Send email

Admission

Adults: 8 €
Reduced: 6 € (children, pupils, students, pensioners, severely disabled people)

Address

Burgsteige 11 | Hohentübingen Castle
72070 Tübingen