Kochberg Castle

The former manor with Kochberg Castle is located in South Thuringia in Großkochberg near Rudolstadt and is primarily known for several visits by Goethe.

The complex is grouped around a central square, the "Plattenhof". The oldest part of the building is the "Hohes Haus" in the southeast, which dates back to the moated castle first mentioned in 1380. The earliest detailed description of the castle dates from 1659. It mentions a spring in the castle park and a pipe system that fed the square moat from the so-called Bergteich. The presumably only access to the castle at that time was a drawbridge in the east. The now dominant building, the "Hohes Haus" in the west of the complex, dates from the 17th century and is built in the Renaissance style. Later, a park was laid out to the west and north of the castle, which a bridge connects to the central building ensemble. Another bridge leads south to the farmyard.

A noble family of the same name, presumably originating from this castle, is already documented for the 13th century. In 1506, Hartmann von Kochberg died. His widow married Siegfried von Schönberg, who thereby also received the castle. His heir Georg von Schönberg sold the castle to Balthasar von Kochberg. In 1733, the Barons von Stein-Kochberg came into possession of the castle. Due to his friendship with Charlotte von Stein, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe visited Kochberg Castle several times, first on December 6, 1775, and for the last time on September 5, 1788. In 1938, Charlotte's last heir, Felix von Stein, died. In 1945, the owners were dispossessed and expelled by the communists. The current owner of the properties is the Klassik Stiftung Weimar. Descendants of the Stein family live in Denmark with restitution claims for parts of the furnishings. Negotiations aim to achieve a permanent loan for some parts and acquisition for other pieces.