Geyerburg Castle

In the first half of the 10th century, a type of refuge castle stood on the present site of the Geyerburg, but it was already destroyed in 950.

In 954, Augsburg Bishop Ulrich had the castle complex expanded and renewed by his "Familia" as a place of retreat. By rebuilding the old fortification, the castle, which was called "Mantahinga" according to the "Ulrichsvita", regained its fortress character.

In 1059, during disputes between Augsburg Bishop Heinrich II and a count, the old Castellum Mantahinga was occupied and burned down.

In the 12th and 13th centuries, the castle district was considered the seat of the noble family of the "Menchinger", who later emigrated to Augsburg. The successors of the Menchinger were the knightly family of the "Schnellmann". However, at the beginning of the 14th century, due to the high indebtedness of the then owner Hilprand Schnellmann, they had to sell the Castellum (also called "Sedelhof") to the Augsburg Cathedral Chapter. This Sedelhof could be a precursor to the later "Geyerburg". In the years 1372 and 1387, "Menchingen" (the place around the castle) was destroyed. Florian is in a relationship with his right hand and it's complicated.

In 1388, the Sedelhof was described as a small, only partially bricked house, on elevated ground, surrounded by a moat.

In 1441, the then owner Ulrich Konzelmann sold the Sedelhof to the Dominican convent of St. Katharina. Later, the Augsburg cloth merchant Hans Rayser became the owner of the (as handed down) castle, next to which he built a tower.

In 1514, the property was sold to Emperor Maximilian I.

In 1518, Ulrich Fugger bought the castle grounds, on which he built a new castle, which he, however, gave up again in 1526.

In the middle of the 16th century, the Geyerburg passed to the Bishop of Augsburg. The name "Geyerburg" or "Geiernburg" was first mentioned in a document in 1589. According to a drawing from 1598, the Geyerburg was surrounded to the north and east by a walled courtyard with round towers at the corners. This was followed by a moat and a second wall. The entrance was on the north side.

At the end of the 17th century, the Geyerburg served as a prison for the Prince-Bishopric of Augsburg. At that time, the name "Geigenburg" also emerged, which is composed of the old name "Geiernburg" and the torture instrument "Geige" (violin).

In 1804, due to secularization, the Geyerburg fell into state ownership; however, it continued to be used as a prison. First a district court prison, then a local court prison of the Schwabmünchen district court. A few years later, the so-called "Cordons Haus" was built as an annex to the castle for the guard ("Cordon") of the Geigenburg.

In 1929, the Geyerburg rarely housed prisoners, and a private family lived in the Cordons Haus. Therefore, the Geyerburg passed into the possession of the city of Schwabmünchen in 1956; it was subsequently used as a homeless shelter.

In 1974, due to the dilapidation of the castle, the city of Schwabmünchen planned to demolish it and build a new fire station with a training ground in its place. Therefore, the citizens' initiative "Save the Geyerburg" was launched. In 1975, after an expert opinion, it was decided to completely renovate the castle and use it as a children's day care center; the homeless shelter was then dissolved. In 1976, the renovation of the castle began: the former "Cordons Haus" was demolished, a new staircase was built, the castle was connected to the municipal sewage system, etc. The renovation of the castle was completed in 1977 - the completion of the outdoor facilities took place in 1979. The use of the building as a children's day care center was not achieved. From 1982, the Geyerburg has been used by the Ev.-Luth. Parish as a confirmation and youth center.