Giechburg Castle, Schesslitz, Germany

First mentioned in 1125, Giechburg castle was in possession of Bamberg's prince-bishops since 1390. During wartimes it burned down several times, was rebuilt, destroyed again and rebuilt once more in 1600. In 1971 the administrative district of Bamberg bought Giechburg castle and restored it. Nowadays Giechburg castle is a popular excursion destination including a restaurant which offers a venue for meetings and cultural events. At an altitude of 520 metres you can enjoy a wonderful view across the region of Bamberg. Various art exhibitions take place in the donjon regularly.

Archeological evidence indicates that this hilltop was fortified as far back as Neolithic times. From 1421 until 1459, a period of disorder associated with the Hussites in nearby Bohemia, the castle was further fortified and strengthened until it took its final form as a mature medieval castle with a keep.

As gunpowder warfare matured, Giechburg was no longer useful as a strongpoint. It was adaptively reused by the prince-bishops, especially Johann Philipp von Gebsattel, as a hunting lodge and by later prince-bishops as the headquarters of a horse farm. However, with secularization in 1802, Giechburg no longer had an owner with an interest in maintenance and upkeep. The former castle was used as a quarry for dressed stone, and became a ruin.

References:

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User Reviews

Davor Ilic (8 months ago)
Guttt❤️

Elizabeth Hess (2 years ago)
The Giechburg Castle offers a blend of history, nature, and culinary excellence. The walk up to the castle is as invigorating as it is scenic, setting the stage for a delicious meal accompanied by impeccable service. Completing the experience, a tour around the castle's exterior reveals breathtaking vistas, with views extending all the way to the picturesque Bamberg. A must-visit for every traveler!

Tony Gilligan (4 years ago)
Lovely Castle to visit near Bamberg

Pepi Vidic (4 years ago)
Very nice place

Dave Pearson (4 years ago)
Jeez, this place has a fantastic view and on a clear evening you can see over 100 kilometres onto the horizon. Full of history and if you get there in the late afternoon you’ll still get a bite to eat and a loo! Otherwise it’s into the bushes if you have too.. unfortunately this is an area of customer service that is so lacking in much of Germany. The castle is well preserved and there is plenty to explore parking is ample and for hiking it’s a dream.

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Sigmaringen Castle

Sigmaringen Castle was first mentioned in the year 1077 in the chronicles of Petershausen monastery. The oldest parts of the castle are concealed beneath the alterations made during the 17th and the 19th centuries. The secret of the earliest settlement built on this defendable rock will never be fully revealed: large-scale excavation work would be necessary, which the extensive land development renders impossible. Judging from the many Roman remains unearthed in the area around Sigmaringen, the 12th century keep known as the 'Roman Tower' could be traced back to a Roman predecessor.

The castle remains that have been preserved (gate, great hall and keep) date back to the Staufer period around 1200. The castle remains were integrated into subsequent buildings. The foundations of the castle buildings are to a large extent identical to the surrounding castle wall.

These remains give us a good idea of how the castle might have looked during the 12th century.

Giechburg Castle

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