Hohenstein Castle (Middle Franconia)

The origins of Hohenstein Castle probably go back to the 11th century. The first written mention is detectable only for year 1163, when a certain Sicolinus was used as a castle guard by Hohenstein. In the following centuries, there have been several changes in power relations: of the Sulzbacher counts they first came into the possession of the Hohenstaufen. Derived from the previously used name of this dynasty, the castle Hohenstein is now sometimes referred to as Hohenstaufen Castle. Later it became then, still in the possession of the Wittelsbach, the Luxembourg and at the end, back into the hands of the Bavarian dukes.

In connection with the Landshut War of Succession, finally the imperial city of Nuremberg was in secure control of the castle and bought it in the 1505 sale. Subsequently, they then played an important role in the further history of Nuremberg. It was designated as the administrative seat of a Nuremberg keeper and played a prominent role in the management and defense of the Nuremberg newly acquired land area. This was, however, its half a century later in the Second Margrave War undoing. For the troops of the Niirnberg arch enemy, the Margrave of Brandenburg-Kulmbach Albrecht Alcibiades of Brandenburg-Kulmbach, for Nuremberg was so important fortress and destroy take. Despite heavy devastation could be in this war then in the end but still said the imperial city and its allies against the Marquis. The Burg Hohenstein subsequently remained unchallenged possession in Nuremberg and was subsequently rebuilt, which, however, to the 17th century went.

The decisive break in the castle's history took place in 1806, when the story took place at Nuremberg as Imperial City to an end. Together with the rest of the land area of Nuremberg and the city itself, it was this year when the Kingdom of Bavaria took possession. Thus began the decline of the castle in its beginning, because parts of the castle have now been sold by the state for demolition. The castle was degraded to the quarry, and including the castle keep, fell victim to this misuse. It was not until about the middle of the 19th century, there began some rethinking, and there were attempts made to halt the further deterioration to stop now. The previous measures, however, had already caused too many substantial interventions to progress, so that the castle is still a semi-ruin.

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  View of the valley
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  Chapel and palace
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  Interior of the chapel
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  The castle in the evening light

• Parts of this article were translated from German Wikipedia, on 16 August 2010.