Freudenberg Castle

In 1196-1197, Bishop Heinrich III of Berg from Würzburg began the construction of Freudenburg Castle. Under Bishop Heinrich's successor, Konrad I of Querfurt, there was another phase of construction, although of lesser extent. The Lords of Dürn, who can be traced as the earliest feudal lords of Freudenburg, were succeeded through marriage by the Counts of Wertheim.

In the year 1361, Eberhard von Wertheim and others continued construction on elements like the curtain wall and the great hall (Palas). Further expansion and fortification of the castle into a formidable fortress with an imposing Renaissance structure occurred between 1497 and 1507 under Count Erasmus von Wertheim. Massive earthworks led to the construction of an outer bailey. An impressive four-story cannon tower facing the Main River and an outpost for securing the southern mountain side were built. In front of the curtain wall, another protective wall with three small round towers was added. The wall extended to the west and east down the hillside to the Main River, enclosing the small town of Freudenberg. This expansion, likely inspired by Burg Breuberg, was Erasmus (also known as Asmus) von Wertheim's final work. He passed away in 1509.

The castle subsequently served as a residence for castle officials and an administrative center. It was heavily damaged during the Markgräfler War in 1552, and with the extinction of the Wertheim line in 1556, the castle began to deteriorate further. Administration was relocated to the town, and only the cannon tower (especially during the witch trials after 1590) continued to be used as a prison.

As the Middle Ages came to an end, the castle fell into disrepair, becoming overgrown with vegetation. It was forgotten for centuries. Only after World War II did a citizen initiative advocate for the castle's restoration. It was gradually uncovered and renovated, reopening to the public in 1995. As of 2012, the curtain walls leading to the town and the cannon tower are being restored.

The courtyard of the castle ruins now serves as an open-air theater every two years in odd-numbered years.

References:

• Wikipedia

Address

Freudenberg (Baden), Germany

Details

Founded: 1196
Category: Castles and fortifications in Germany
Historical period: Hohenstaufen Dynasty (Germany)