Summer Residence

In 1735, Prince-Bishop Franz Ludwig Schenk von Castell had a "summer house with garden and accessories" (building inscription above the portal on Ostenstraße) built just 200 meters from the city's east gate. The style points to the court architect Gabriel de Gabrieli. Under the three subsequent Prince-Bishops, the building and garden were further developed. Artistic highlights include the ballroom with the ceiling painting "Spring" by Johann Evangelist Holzer (1709 - 1740) and the design of the central pavilion in the court garden by Maurizio Pedetti (around 1780). From 1817 to 1855, the summer residence and court garden were owned by the Dukes of Leuchtenberg.

Duke Eugen (1817 - 1824) had the previously French garden transformed into an English garden and a cabinet of curiosities set up in the castle. The garden has belonged to the city of Eichstätt since 1871. From 1872 to 1898, the castle served as barracks for a detachment of a rifle regiment. Bishop Franz Leopold Freiherr von Leonrod bought it in 1899 for the Episcopal Seminary. From 1901 to 1965, the building housed the State and Seminary Library. In 1974, after a successful restoration, it was put to its current use.