Oberaufseß Castle, Aufseß, Germany

Oberaufseß castle is located in the western part of the Bayreuth district, about half a kilometer north-northwest of Aufseß. The castle consists of a residential building referred to as the Schloss (palace) on the southeastern corner, as well as former agricultural buildings. The entire complex is surrounded by an outer wall reinforced by four round towers at the corners. The gatehouse is located on the north side of the complex, and another bastion-like tower is found on the obtuse-angled south side.

The name Oberaufseß is first mentioned in a document from 1326. However, at that time, the name referred to the area rather than the castle.

In 1676, the castle of Aufseß, later known as Unteraufseß, came into the possession of the brothers Friedrich and Karl Heinrich von Aufseß. Due to disputes between the two brothers – the family had split into Protestant and Catholic branches in the 17th century – Karl Heinrich began the construction of Burg Oberaufseß around 1690. Initially, the heavily fortified complex was called Carolsburg. There were skirmishes between the members of the two branches, and in 1692, Catholic troops from Bamberg unsuccessfully attempted to conquer Carolsburg. In the 19th century, the Catholic branch of the von Aufseß family died out, and the family estate was reunited. The castle is still owned by the Barons of Aufseß and serves as their residence.

As a result of administrative reforms carried out in the Kingdom of Bavaria in the early 19th century, Oberaufseß became part of the rural municipality of Aufseß.

Oberaufseß is home to several architectural landmarks, the most significant being the residential building of the castle. It is a three-story half-hipped roof structure originally dating back to 1690 but extensively renovated around 1780.

About 500 meters west of the castle, there is the Hugoturm (Hugo Tower), which is accessed through a linden tree avenue. Built by Hugo von Aufseß in the 1880s, the round tower once had a wooden observation platform.

Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

Robert Sprotte (5 months ago)
Since the palace complex is privately inhabited, only part of it, including the church, is open to the public, but that is enough to get an impression.

mamo Moma (8 months ago)
I think it's worth taking a guided tour here. I came to it by chance when a very friendly, committed gentleman conveyed a piece of history and culture in a lively way.

Björn Bödeker (2 years ago)
Super nice, well-kept castle, the church is always accessible.

Gerhard S. (3 years ago)
Unfortunately, you can only see the castle from the outside...

Oberaufseß Castle

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Church of St Donatus