Zobel Castle Giebelstadt

The moated castle in Giebelstadt, a market town in the Lower Franconian district of Würzburg (Bavaria), was originally built in the 14th century.

At the end of the 13th century, the Barons Zobel zu Giebelstadt inhabited a fortified farm, which was expanded into a two-story, four-wing complex with corner towers in the 14th century. After its destruction in the Peasants' War in 1545, the complex was rebuilt by Heinrich von Zobel between 1581 and 1585. In 1755, a stone bridge was built, replacing the previous wooden drawbridge. Above the portal of the Renaissance-style gatehouse is a relief with the Zobel/Truchseß alliance coat of arms, said to be by Jörg Riemenschneider. The entrance to the chapel in the inner courtyard is adorned with a Zobel/Greiffenclau alliance coat of arms, and the entrance to the staircase with a Zobel/Bibra alliance coat of arms.

Inside the castle, we find the Ancestral Hall, the library, the Red and Blue Salons, the dining room, and the chapel, which is equipped with a Baroque altar. The entire inventory was auctioned off in 2002. The moated castle is currently (2014) empty and cannot be visited.