Gößweinstein Castle

Gössweinstein Castle, also known as Schloss Gössweinstein, is a medieval castle in Gössweinstein in the district of Forchheim in Bavaria. The complex, situated high above the market town and the Wiesent river, possibly served Richard Wagner as a model for the Grail Castle in his Parsifal.

The castle was probably named after its builder, Count Gozwin. He was killed in 1065 after invading the territory of the Bishop of Würzburg. A first documented mention of Goswinesteyn Castle is known from the year 1076. At that time, Emperor Henry IV had Bishop Burchard II of Halberstadt, who was involved in the Saxon War, imprisoned there, which already suggests a strong fortification.

Since Bishop Otto of Bamberg, it has been verifiable as Bambergian property. From 1348 to 1780, the castle was the seat of a Vogtamt (bailiwick) of the Bishops of Bamberg.

In 1525, the castle suffered destruction during the German Peasants' War and was subsequently rebuilt. In the Second Margrave War in 1553, the castle was destroyed once again and rebuilt.

The castle came into Bavarian state ownership in 1803 through the secularization of the Prince-Bishopric of Bamberg. In 1875, Baron Edgar von Sohlern acquired the castle. In 1890, it was redesigned in the Neo-Gothic style. Late Gothic figures are preserved in the castle chapel.