Sommersdorf Castle

Sommersdorf takes its name from the noble Sunnemannesdorf family who settled in the area in the 13th century. Ludwig von Eyb built the castle in the 14th century. A noteworthy family member is his grandson, Albrecht von Eyb, who was born at the castle and later became Germany’s first humanistic writer.

In 1550 the von Crailsheim family took possession of the castle. A year later, Wolf von Crailsheim introduced Protestantism to Sommersdorf. The Thirty Years War (1618-1648) brought plundering, burning, and looting to the town, but the castle remained relatively unscathed.

By the middle of the 19th century, renovations on the castle began, replacing the drawbridge by a stone one, as well as constructing a new top floor of the castle. For the last 100 years, the von Crailsheim family have lived at Schloss Sommersdorf.

This Bavarian castle boasts everything a castle lover could desire: moat, turrets, towers, spiral staircases, and a stone bridge.

References:

• Pamela Barrus

Address

Sommersdorf 1, Sommersdorf, Germany

Details

Founded: 14th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Germany
Historical period: Habsburg Dynasty (Germany)