Castle Administration The Walter Family
Tel: 0 73 26 - 91 96 56
Fax: 0 73 26 - 96 35 24
Perched spectacularly on top of a high rock, Katzenstein Castle towers over the valley through which the Katzenbach, a small tributary of the Egau, runs.
Extensive renovation work has been carried out on the castle since 1967. As a result, one of southern Germany's most valuable castle complexes – dating back to Romanesque times – has been fittingly restored.
The surrounding countryside is of an austere nature. Stony fields and uncultivated hillocks studded with boulders lend it its character. The castle is firmly rooted in this landscape. A curtain wall, residential quarters and keep rise up powerfully from a rock. With its colossal rusticated blocks of stone, the keep, more than anything else, appears to have fused with the rock on which it stands.
What initially stood here was a construction purpose built for protecting a rough family quite used to fighting. The heart of the castle, the keep - the defence tower - is perched on a pin-nacle. The original entrance lies seven metres above the ground. This tower contains an open fire, which dates back to Romanesque times, and is made of stone. Scratched into the moulding is a heraldic drawing of a cat and a lily.
Katzenstein Castle exhibits above all and very distinctively a Roman style of structure. At the same time, it is a perfect example of a fortification - with several interior courtyards, parapet walks and bastions. This bastion dates back to the 12th century. Renovation work enabled it to be restored to new. On the lowest floor, spanned by two huge barrel vaults, the castle well, which is hewed into the rock and is 23 m deep, can be found.
In the Romanesque castle chapel, which is dedicated to Saint Lawrence, the restorers uncov-ered up to three layers of extensive paintings (murals) which were hidden underneath a thick layer of whitewash. Under a layer dating back to baroque times, late Gothic murals of an ex-traordinary quality were discovered. Nevertheless, several samples of these works of art were removed in favour of the beautifully preserved painting which was lying (further) underneath. Together with the remaining pieces of art, which virtually cover all walls of the chapel, it has been possible to recover a work of national standing.
These frescoes show a series of pictures dating from 1250 to 1280, the time of the transition from the late romantic to the early Gothic period. In the apse, we can see the scene of the Last Judgement with Christ sitting enthroned in the elliptical aureole. He is flanked by Maria and John the Baptist as well as angels with the Instruments of the Passion (Arma Christi).
In 1099 the lords are referred to as von Cazzenstein for the very first time. They were liege-men of the Earls of Dillingen. In 1262, the lords von Hürnheim became owners of the castle, followed in 1354 by the Earl von Oettingen. Thereafter, several families were enfeoffed with the castle. Among these were the lords von Westerstetten, who put the landgraves¹ of Hessen to flight in 1546 during the Schmalkaldic War. In 1648, during the last year of the Thirty Years' War, combined French and Swedish troops besieged the castle and put it under heavy fire for two days. The roofs burned and the reeve (a law officer) felt himself obliged to sur-render. Up until 1834, the princely House of Oettingen had a forestry office in the castle. Thereafter, until 1939, the buildings remained empty. Today the castle is privately owned.
Since 1 April 2006, Katzenstein Castle has once more been open to the public.
According to legend, twelve chests full of gold and precious stones are buried in the castle. These, however, are so well guarded by the castle ghost, Baldrian², that the treasure will remain hidden forever.
Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Mondays.
Guided tours at 11 a.m. 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Groups are welcome, with prior reservation, at any time (night-time tour).
¹ landgrave: a title of nobility in Germany and Scandinavia, dating from the 12th century, when the kings of Germany attempted to strengthen their position in relation to that of the dukes (Herzoge). The kings set up “pro-vincial counts” (Landgrafen) over whom the dukes would have no control and who would have rank and author-ity equivalent to those of dukes. Later - and more commonly—the title was given to counts in order to make them directly dependent on the king (or emperor). Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica
² Baldrian: the same name as the herb valeria, which has healing properties. Name: Valerius
