The Battle of the Alte Veste was a significant battle of the Thirty Years' War in which Gustavus Adolphus' attacking forces were defeated by Wallenstein's entrenched troops.^[4]

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Quick Facts Date, Location ...

Battle of Alte Veste
Part of the Swedish intervention in the Thirty Years' War
Plan of Wallenstein's camp, made in 1634. West is up.
Date 3–4 September 1632 (N.S.) Location Alte Veste, southwest of Nürnberg, Franconian Circle, Holy Roman Empire (present-day Bavaria, Germany) Result Imperial victory
Belligerents
Holy Roman Empire Catholic League	Sweden
Commanders and leaders
Albrecht von Wallenstein Johann von Aldringen	Gustavus Adolphus Wilhelm of Weimar Bernard of Saxe-Weimar Lennart Torstensson (POW)
Strength
43,500 men[1]	44,600 men 30,011 infantry in 37 regiments and 306 companies 15,419 cavalry in 39 regiments and 263+ companies[2]
Casualties and losses
900[3]	2,500[3]
Alte Veste, Zirndorf Location within Bavaria Show map of Bavaria Alte Veste, Zirndorf Alte Veste, Zirndorf (Germany) Show map of Germany

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In the late summer of 1632 the army of Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus met Albrecht von Wallenstein near Nürnberg. The earlier successes of Gustavus Adolphus over General Tilly, particularly at Breitenfeld, followed by Tilly's death during the Battle of Rain, forced Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II to recall Albrecht von Wallenstein into military service from retirement. Wallenstein was unmatched in his ability to raise troops, and within a few weeks he took to the field with a fresh army.

The Imperial Army's ranks swelled as Wallenstein moved to stop the Swedes' advance at Nuremberg. Repeatedly, Gustavus formed for battle and challenged Wallenstein to come out of his fortified camp, but was refused. As the supply situation continued to worsen, the impetuous King grew desperate.

Gustavus Adolphus attacked the Imperial camp at the Alte Veste (or "Old Fortress")—a derelict castle situated atop a wooded hill. Its ownership would then allow the Swedish guns to dominate the Imperial camp. The Imperials were prepared with trenches and an abatis that stymied the Swedish advance. When the vaunted brigades faltered, much of the cavalry was sent in dismounted. Wallenstein saw an opportunity to strike a blow and sallied his cavalry and cut down many of the exhausted troops. Only the final introduction of the Swedish cavalry reserve averted a complete disaster.

The Swedes had been defeated. The Commander of the Swedish artillery, Lennart Torstenson, was taken prisoner and locked up for nearly a year at Ingolstadt. Several weeks later, lack of supplies led Wallenstein to break camp and move north, allowing the Swedes out of Nuremberg. The two armies met again two months later at the Battle of Lützen, where Gustavus was killed.