Heudorf Castle

The origin of Heudorf Castle was probably a so-called "Maierhof" (manor farm), the year of its construction is unknown. The owner, a member of the warrior class, had a fortified tower added to the eastern end of this Maierhof, creating a small castle. A rampart with a moat and drawbridge was built around it.

The individual owners of the following centuries then built - in several construction phases - the entire castle complex from this initial fortification.

• 1293 - 1471 The Lords of Hornstein - The north wing and the left half of the central building of the present castle are said to date from this period.
• 1471 - 1790 The Imperial Barons of Stotzingen - The south wing and the right half of the central building, as well as the parish church of St. Oswald, are said to have been built under their rule.
• 1790 - 1856 The Princes of Thurn und Taxis - Under these owners, Heudorf Castle was used for various purposes.
• 1854 - 1920 Thurn und Taxis Forestry Office - This forestry office, responsible for the Thurn und Taxis forests in Upper Swabia, was moved from Buchau to Heudorf Castle.
• 1920 - 1932 The Venerable Daughters of St. Vincent de Paul - The sisters belonging to the Congregation of Untermarchtal established here the "St. Oswaldpflege", a teaching and educational institution for mentally handicapped but still educable children.
• 1932 - 1937 Claretian Fathers - Expelled from Spain, they sought a new home in Heudorf Castle. They managed the agriculture belonging to the castle.
• 1938 - 1943 Thurn und Taxis Forestry Office
• 1943 - 1945 School for gifted students for technical offspring and painting school.
• 1945 - 1952 Polish Camp - After the collapse, Polish forced laborers from the Third Reich period occupied Heudorf Castle. During this time, the castle often housed up to 300 people.
• 1953 - 1956 "Vacation from the Self" under the direction of Walter Kiesewetter. It was a kind of hotel business with a riding school and animal show. However, this venture proved unprofitable, so these residents also moved out after only 3 years. At this point, the building, structurally speaking, was completely ruined.
• Since 1956: The "Immaculata Sisters" - Mother M. Theresia from the Brandenburg a.d. Iller monastery bought Heudorf Castle from the Princes of Thurn und Taxis in January of this year for 70,000 DM. She wanted to move her special school for children with learning disabilities from Gutenzell district Biberach to Heudorf Castle, as the accommodation there - an old brewery - was unusable and unsuitable for the planned purpose. In the same year, they established a special school for children with learning disabilities here. Since the building was in a rather neglected state, extensive structural changes had to be made to suit the new purpose and still comply with monument protection regulations. These changes, under the direction of the long-time superior of the house, Sr. Gabriele, grew into an exemplary institution for child and youth care by 1996, with no less than 42 construction projects. Today, the St. Josef home offers a home for children and young people who require assistance for education according to § 27 KJHG.