Old Castle Mellrichstadt

Where today the District Court and the Administrative Community are housed, the bailiff of the Bishop of Würzburg once had his seat. The Old Castle is one of the most significant historical witnesses of bygone days. A castle of the Hennebergers is said to have stood on this site as early as around the year 1000. During the renovation work for the entrance to the Administrative Community, remains of a tower from this period were found. When the Hennebergers gave up the Vogtland over Mellrichstadt in 1230, Mellrichstadt became a prince-bishopric office. The building, known as the "Old Castle," was erected in 1512 under Prince-Bishop Lorenz von Bibra (1459 – 1519), who was born in Mellrichstadt. His father, Hanns v. Bibra zu Mellrichstadt, held the hereditary office of Under-Marshal of the Prince-Bishopric of Würzburg within the family. The two coats of arms with the image of the leaping beaver on the courtyard side of the castle are those of the builder. In 1712, the west wing was extended towards the Streu.