Virnsberg Castle

Virnsberg Castle, which was first mentioned in 1235, was originally owned by the Reichsministerialen von Uffenheim. After Ludwig von Virnsberg participated in a revolt against Emperor Frederick II in 1235, he had to cede his half of the property to the Counts of Hohenlohe, who sold it to the Nuremberg burgraves later that year. In 1259, the burgrave Konrad I bought the second half, which remained in the possession of the Burgraviate of Nuremberg until 1294. In that year, it was transferred to the Teutonic Order, along with its dependencies.

The Virnsberg commandery belonged to the Teutonic Order's Frankish bailiwick and formed a Catholic enclave in Protestant Ansbach. After the secularization of 1803, the castle changed hands frequently; it was usually owned by private individuals, but also by institutions (e.g. the Evangelical Welfare). In 1977, the Nuremberg lawyer Friedrich von Herford acquired the castle and donated it to the non-profit Schlossverein Virnsberg e. V. in 2001. In 2017, Schloß Virnsberg was sold to a Munich investment firm. The entire estate is now managed by Schloß Virnsberg GmbH & Co. KG.

Description

The Virnsberg Castle is located on a hill in the northwest of the village, overlooking the Kemnath. In the south of the complex is the lower courtyard, with horseshoe-shaped agricultural buildings and a dovecote from around 1700. A moat surrounds the buildings to the south and west. From the courtyard, a ramp leads clockwise around the core castle to the middle courtyard, which is flanked to the west by the outer ring wall from the late 15th century. First, one reaches the gate tower from the end of the 15th century. Then, the middle castle courtyard follows, which is bordered in the northwest by two buildings placed at an oblique angle to each other. On the north side, two rectangular gun towers protrude outward. At their feet lie casemates from the 15th/16th century.

The core castle, surrounded by a moat, has a polygonal shape, and the castle courtyard is completely surrounded by buildings. Access is through a vaulted gateway at the eastern corner of the north wing. The two-story Baroque castle chapel is located in the northeast corner. The octagonal bergfried stands freely behind the northwest corner.

Address

Schloßstraße 16, Flachslanden, Germany

Details

Founded: 13th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Germany
Historical period: Hohenstaufen Dynasty (Germany)