Kapfenburg Castle, Lauchheim, Germany

Kapfenburg Castle is located in the Ostalbkreis district on a mountain nose of the Albtrauf, 130 m above the town of Lauchheim. The name Kapfenburg is derived from the medieval term 'kapfen' ('to gape', 'to look into the country').

Kapfenburg Castle was built in the 12th century during the Staufer period to guard the road connections from west to east.

After the fall of the Hohenstaufen dynasty, the Counts of Oettingen and their liege lords, the Lords of Gromberg, took over much of the land around Kapfenburg Castle. In 1364, the Deutschordenshaus Mergentheim acquired the castle. It was the last commendation founded by the Order in southern Germany. The Order's state in Prussia and the Order houses in the Empire were already drifting apart. Thus Kapfenburg Castle bears witness above all to a small ecclesiastical-knightly residence of the late Middle Ages and early modern times.

In the Rhine Confederation Act of 1806, Napoleon abolished the Teutonic Order and awarded Kapfenburg Castle to King Frederick of Württemberg. It has been in the possession of the state ever since. Kapfenburg Castle was never destroyed. In accordance with the change in function from a fortified castle to a residential castle with administrative headquarters, it has been converted and extended into an idiosyncratic architectural ensemble that combines architectural styles from very different eras.

Since October 1999, the Kapfenburg Castle International Music School Academy Cultural Centre has been based within the walls of the former Teutonic Order fortress. As a result, Kapfenburg Castle has become a place of encounter and musical and creative activity for many people from Germany and abroad.

References:

Schloss Kapfenburg

User Reviews

luka (2 years ago)
When I was there the restaurant and all was sadly closed. But it's a beautiful place to visit.

Roman Tulainov (2 years ago)
Unfortunately we didn't manage to get inside, but the outside is a very pleasant experience. The castle is located at the top and of course offers a beautiful view of the surroundings.

cxx tractari recovery Cristi (2 years ago)
Cxx transport

oros doryn (2 years ago)
Super

M. K. (3 years ago)
The area is beautiful and the views are amazing. But I only can say this from the outside yo the outside. I went up there by foot and I knew that everything was closed. But still the walk up there was worth it. What could be done better is the walk up there. The direct way is along the street and to have a pathway not only from lauchheim but from the other site as well could be a plus.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Mark1792

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Soon the idea of a museum arose, and that was realised in 1833, which is The Royal Danish Collection’s official year of establishment.

Kapfenburg Castle

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