Wertheim Castle

Wertheim Castle is the ruin of a hilltop castle on a high, narrow mountain spur between the two valleys of the Main and Tauber rivers above the city of Wertheim. It is one of the oldest castle ruins in Baden-Württemberg.

The Counts of Wertheim, members of the Franconian noble family of the Reginbodonen, first named themselves after Wertheim in 1132. In this century, construction of the castle began, which also developed into a cultural center. The poet Wolfram von Eschenbach was closely connected with the Counts of Wertheim. His presence at the castle can be assumed with certainty. Until the 17th century, the count's seat was continuously expanded with defensive fortifications and large residential palaces.

In 1556, the comital line of Wertheim died out. They were succeeded by Ludwig, Count of Stolberg-Königstein, who was replaced in 1598 by one of his sons-in-law, Count Ludwig von Löwenstein.

In 1619, parts of the castle were destroyed by a powder explosion. During the Thirty Years' War, the castle was occupied by the Swedes, and further destruction followed in 1634 due to bombardment by imperial troops. Since then, it has been in ruins.

From 1982, the castle ruin was renovated with considerable support from the state of Baden-Württemberg. Since 1995, it has been owned by the city of Wertheim, which bought it from the previous owners, the former noble families of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Freudenberg and Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg.

On July 21, 2008, the majority of the Wertheim city council approved a proposal from the city administration to make the castle more accessible by installing an inclined elevator. A citizens' initiative, however, fears for the cityscape of Wertheim and collected signatures until September 1, 2008, to enforce a citizens' petition that aims to overturn the city council's decision.