Staufeneck Castle

When Ludwig von Staufen starts work on the construction of Staufeneck castle in 1080, he creates a family seat that will remain in the Hohenstaufen dynasty for 250 years. From 1333 until its decline, the noble family Rechberg-Staufeneck owns the castle. From 1599 onwards the lords of the castle change frequently through sale or marriage. A period of decline begins in 1800; by 1844 the castle is no longer inhabitable and large parts of it must be demolished.

In 1926, the 27-metre high castle keep is finally reopened to the public. In 1927, Hildegard Wörner boldly opens an inn in the western part of the ruined castle. Hildegard’s daughter Lore and her husband Erich Straubinger take over the inn in 1973 and bring the castle complex back to life. With their entrepreneurial skills and hard work, the inn becomes an upscale restaurant with a banquet hall.

In 1990, married couple Erich and Lore Straubinger purchase the restaurant and the castle ruins from the municipality of Böblingen. Their son Ralf becomes the chef at Burg Staufeneck. Their daughter Karin marries her childhood sweetheart Klaus Schurr, who commits himself wholeheartedly to the development of the family-run company.

In 2000, the two young entrepreneurial families buy the entire castle complex and the planned hotel construction can begin. Site-managed by Klaus Schurr, the project is completed in just one year. The opening ceremony is in December 2002. Just one year later, the hotel is awarded five stars by the German Hotel and Restaurant Association DEHOGA.

The Straubinger and Schurr families assume all responsibilities for the complex and for the management of the hotel, restaurant and catering service. Since then, Burg Staufeneck has consistently been included among the best 30 hotels on the latest hotel and restaurant lists in Germany.

References:

• Burg Staufeneck

Address

Staufeneck 1, Salach, Germany

Details

Founded: 1080
Category: Castles and fortifications in Germany
Historical period: Salian Dynasty (Germany)