Burg Teck rests on the end of a long ridge above the Schwabische town of Owen (pronounced long O-ven). The castle rests on a rock outcrop, having first been formally mentioned in documents between the Holy Roman Emperor Barbarossa and the Lords von Zahringen in 1152. At this time, the castle and the lands about it were held as a pledge so that Berthold IV von Zahringen could receive the throne of Burgundy. In addition, Berthold was to provide the Emperor with 1,000 mounted knights when the Emperor was in Burgundy, or 500 mounted knights and 50 crossbowmen for campaigning in northern Italy. The castle was smashed in the Peasants War of 1525, and it remained a ruin into the 1800s. Serious reconstruction commenced in the 1900s, and the current structure was completed in the 1950s, largely on medieval lines.
Left and below, two views from the tower, the left to the parking lot below (where the photo at left was taken) and the one below looks to the east across some of the buildings within the castle grounds.
Because of its location, generally good condition, on-site cafe, and the fact that it's free, Teck receives its share of visitors. However, most of these are Germans from the surrounding area, so if you're an American you will be a rarity. While worth the visit, the only photos I have are from 1975, as I did not get a chance to go back in 2005. Above, the main keep, with detail in the inset, left. Not bad for a cheap instamatic! Left, the castle perched on its rock.
