Elfershausen Castle

Almost 400 years ago, the parish of Langendorf saw the branch of Elfershausen separated under the rule of Prince-Bishop Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn.

Catholic Elfershausen, with only a few members of other churches residing here, was shaped by the personality and work of Prince-Bishop Julius Echter.

The historical origins likely date back to the year 716. The castle was also significant for the development of Elfershausen, as the lords of the castle owned large estates in the surrounding area.

Christof Heinrich von Erthal built Elfershausen Castle in 1562, and in 1600, it received its current form through his son Georg Erich von Erthal. Coats of arms on the building belonging to the von Erthal family, suggesting renovations, date from 1705 and 1749. The noble family of von Erthal died out in 1805.

Among their relatives was also the family of the Counts of Coudenhove, who originated from Brabant and can be traced in their lineage since the 13th century. Thus, this family inherited the ancestral estates of the Erthal family, including those in Elfershausen, in 1805.

The castle was then leased out between 1817 and 1820. In 1905, the castle was sold for 76,200 marks to Jewish bidders.

The municipality acquired the castle during the Nazi era, with the purchase prices having to be paid again after the war as part of reparations due to Jewish involvement. The remaining properties were sold to interested citizens.

During the Third Reich, there were plans to establish a food factory in the castle. Furthermore, the castle was used as accommodation for refugees and displaced persons until 1968.

It was not until 1968 that the municipality began to furnish some rooms in the castle. In 1976, under Mayor German Zier, the former apartment in the side wing was converted into modern office spaces, which were expanded in 1979 for the administrative community.

In the 1980s, a doctor's practice was housed in the former chancellery rooms in the main building, which now serve the financial administration after the doctor moved out. The main building also still houses a meeting room, a worship room for Protestant Christians, and a large council chamber.

The renovation of the castle by Mayor Alfred Küchler in 1988 was the first part of a general renovation carried out externally. The interior rooms are largely renovated. The castle cellar serves for events of associations, but above all for the market and local festival, which is held annually in the Elfershausen castle area around the Assumption of Mary (August 15).

A provisional completion of the renovation was achieved with the expansion of the fire station in the castle. The shooting lodge, which is leased to the shooting club, is also located on the castle grounds.