Details
Founded: 1396-1406Category: Castles and fortifications in Germany
Historical period: Habsburg Dynasty (Germany)
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Satzvey Castle was built between 1396 and 1406 on an island in the middle of a large pond crossed by the Veybach. At that time a main and a fore-castle were situated on separate islands. Behind the wide expanse of water, today one can see the richly structured manor house, with its tower and the gate-house from the 15th century. The son of Max Felix Reichsgraf Wolff Metternich, who had lived as lord of Satzvey since 1878, expanded the castle to its present appearance full of a sense of style. Behind the wide expanse of water, today one can see the richly structured manor house, with its tower and the gate-house from the 15th century.
Satzvey Castle represents an especially beautiful example of a romantic castle. On the present estate of Satzvey Castle a variety of events are held, for example the jousting tournaments with medieval markets, witches' festivals, children's theatre programs and the historical castle Christmas, including traditional Christmas market. Moreover, in private rooms banquets are arranged for parties of between 40 and 500 guests.
The Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg is situated in a strategic area on a rocky spur overlooking the Upper Rhine Plain, it was used by successive powers from the Middle Ages until the Thirty Years' War when it was abandoned. From 1900 to 1908 it was rebuilt at the behest of the German kaiser Wilhelm II. Today it is a major tourist site, attracting more than 500,000 visitors a year.
The first records of a castle built by the Hohenstaufens date back to 1147. The fortress changed its name to Koenigsburg (royal castle) around 1157. The castle was handed over to the Tiersteins by the Habsburgs following its destruction in 1462. They rebuilt and enlarged it, installing a defensive system designed to withstand artillery fire.
The fortification work accomplished over the 15th century did not suffice to keep the Swedish artillery at bay during the Thirty Years War, and the defences were overrun.