Wespenstein castle
history

---

... experience the history during a guided tour by Gerd Seeber (Castle restaurant), Dr. Wolfgang Wehr (Wespenstein castle foundation) or the mayor "Sir Henry" (Henry Bechtoldt).

... or see the museum Georgstift in Gräfenthal city, which is open every Saturday and Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 4.30p.m. and have a look at a model, old documents of the history of Gräfenthal.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

short HISTORY:

Approx. 1250 build as a tollhouse

1337 mentioned as „Hus Grevental” for the first time in a historical charter

to 1425 residence of the earls of Orlamünde (Otto XI in 1414-1424)

1438 residence of the earl Conrad von Pappenheim

View in 1518

1517-1541 Conversion to a representative castle by Sebastian von Pappenheim

1530 Martin Luther and the saxonian elector are guests

1547 Emperor Karl V. and duke Alba are guests

1571 errection of the helical tower „Wendelstein“

1599 the last earl of Pappenheim - Christoff Ullrich - died

1621 residence of the dukes of Saxonia-Altenburg and a bailiff

View of 1672

1679 ownership of the dukes of Saxonia-Gotha

1680 ownership of the dukes of Saxonia-Saalfeld and Coburg-Saalfeld

1686 the castle burnt down to a large extent and was only partly re-erected

1826 residence of a district court of the dukes of Saxonia-Meiningen

1826-1829 the castle obtains its last building extension

1920 ownership of the state of Thüringen

1990 ownership of the German state

1993 privately owned (Mr. Kenyeres)

2001 privately owned (sale by court order, Mr. Laass)

2002 privately owned (auction sale, Dr. Wehr and wife)

2005 privately owned (sale, Dr. Wehr)

2007 Schloß Wespenstein trust

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

last update: 25.07.11