The Achalm dates back to about the 1000s, and I have heard and seen various stories of how it got its name. The most likely is that it was named for the Achalm family. However, one story has it that a local lord, Ulrich the son of Eberhard who supported the Imperial Crown against an uprising of cities, was wounded while fighting against the townspeople of Reutlingen. As he fled for the castle on the hill, he tried to cry out "Oh Almighty" (Ach Allmachtiger) but only got out the words "Ach Alm..." before he passed out. Ulrich survived the battle (though some sources say he did not) but was shamed by his father. He died later in another action. Like many accounts from the Medieval period, there may be truth to both accounts, and could be the origin of the family name. Another account says it was Lord Egino who uttered the words.
To the right, the primary entrance, and some of the inner walls.
Below, the tower, which is a rebuild, and to the lower right, the main entrance from within in 1978.
The Achalm castle already began to decay in the 15th century, largely due to local towns like Reutlingen asserting their loyalty to the Holy Roman Emperor over that of the local lords. Nevertheless, the castle was still occupied up to the Thirty Years War. In May 1645, the troops under the command of the Swedish mercenary general Berhard von Saxe-Weimar attempted to capture the site, but were thrwarted when the occupants blew up the castle by their own hands. It remained a wreck until the 1830s when the keep was rebuilt. Today, most of the land is owned by the city of Reutlingen, though a sheep farm that has operated on the slopes for over a century continues to graze the hill.
