Waldenburg Castle

Waldenburg castle lies at the summit of the spur that projects sharply from the crest of the mountain on the site of the original 13th century castle, commanding a superb panoramic view over a plain with a radius of almost 160 kilometers. It has been in the possession of the House of Hohenlohe without interruption since 1253. In the 16th and 17th centuries the castle was converted into a royal palace. The palace church, today the parish Church of St. Michael, was erected in 1791. The palace was gutted by fire in 1945. During reconstruction the architects were careful to preserve the outer structure, but much had to be altered inside. In the process, they rediscovered a 65-meter deep well that had been forgotten since the 15th century. Since 1971 the palace has housed the museum 'Siegel aus tausend Jahren' (Seals from a Thousand Years). Here you can enjoy examining approximately 800 seals from the collection of Friedrich Karl I, Prince zu Hohenlohe-Waldenburg (1814 – 1884), a Russian lieutenant general and founder of the academic study of seals. In the 'lower archives' can be found the small coin collection with coins and medallions of the House of Hohenlohe. Pewter figure dioramas with scenes from the life of important Hohenlohe lords with their seals and well-illustrated display panels augment the collections.

References:

• Burgen Strasse

Address

Schloßstraße 16, Waldenburg, Germany

Details

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