Reussenstein Castle
Encyclopedia
Reussenstein Castle is ruins of a medieval fortress in Germany
. It is situated 760 metres (2,493.4 ft) above sea level overlooking Neidlingen
in Baden-Württemberg
, Germany
.
castle of the Dukes of Teck
in order to watch the only pass into the Swabian Alb
from the Neidlingen valley.
The knight Diethoh of Kirchheim-Stein was the first known castellan, from approximately 1301. His son sold it to his cousins, Konrad and Heinrich Reuss. The castle was named Reussenstein after this family in 1371.
In the following 50 years, the castle passed through 11 different owners, including the Dukes of Württemberg
in 1381. In 1441, the Counts of Helfenstein took possession. The last to live in the castle was Ludwig Helferich of Reussenstein. With the end of the Helfensteins in 1550, the castle became uninhabited and fell into disrepair.
In 1752, it was acquired by the Bavarian Court, but in 1806 became the property of the State of Württemberg
. In 1835 King William I of Württemberg
gave the castle to his adjutant Colonel von Fleischmann.
In 1846, the last lynx in Germany was hunted in these ruins.
In 1862, the Württemberg royal estates office took over the administration of the castle, which remained in the possession of the former royal family of Württemberg until 1964.
Throughout 1965–1966 the castle was restored by the district of Nürtingen
, now included in the district of Esslingen
, under the supervision of the Baden-Württemberg Historical Monuments Department.
. The legend states that the castle was founded by a giant who had lived in a cave on the opposite side of the valley. In order to arrive at the building site, the giant only had to cross the valley with one large step. However, he did not step far enough and was left with a foot stuck in the marshy valley floor. When he pulled his foot out again, a spring rose from the footprint, which created the Lindach river.
Later, the castle was finished, except for one last nail. However, none of the craftsman dared to hammer in this final nail at such a height. There was only one young craftsman from the Neidlingen valley who dared to try. The giant held the young man to the window over the abyss, until he had finished the work. The craftsman was rewarded with riches and with the hand of the master builder's daughter in marriage.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. It is situated 760 metres (2,493.4 ft) above sea level overlooking Neidlingen
Neidlingen
Neidlingen is a town in the district of Esslingen, in Baden-Württemberg, in southern Germany. It is overlooked by Reussenstein Castle.-Location:Neidlingen lies in the central northern foothills of the Swabian Alps in the upper valley of the...
in Baden-Württemberg
Baden-Württemberg
Baden-Württemberg is one of the 16 states of Germany. Baden-Württemberg is in the southwestern part of the country to the east of the Upper Rhine, and is the third largest in both area and population of Germany's sixteen states, with an area of and 10.7 million inhabitants...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
History
The castle was built in 1270 as a ministerialMinisterialis
Ministerialis ; a post-classical Latin word, used in English, meaning originally servitor, agent, in a broad range of senses...
castle of the Dukes of Teck
Teck
Teck was a ducal castle in the kingdom of Württemberg, immediately to the north of the Swabian Jura and south of the town of Kirchheim unter Teck , taking its name from the ridge, 2544 feet high, which it crowned. It was destroyed in the German Peasants' War...
in order to watch the only pass into the Swabian Alb
Swabian Alb
The Swabian Alps or Swabian Jura is a low mountain range in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, extending 220 km from southwest to northeast and 40 to 70 km in width. It is named after the region of Swabia....
from the Neidlingen valley.
The knight Diethoh of Kirchheim-Stein was the first known castellan, from approximately 1301. His son sold it to his cousins, Konrad and Heinrich Reuss. The castle was named Reussenstein after this family in 1371.
In the following 50 years, the castle passed through 11 different owners, including the Dukes of Württemberg
Rulers of Württemberg
This is a list of the rulers of the German state of Württemberg, originally a county and eventually a kingdom until the ruling dynasty was overthrown in 1918.- Counts of Württemberg to 1495 :* Konrad I 1089–1122...
in 1381. In 1441, the Counts of Helfenstein took possession. The last to live in the castle was Ludwig Helferich of Reussenstein. With the end of the Helfensteins in 1550, the castle became uninhabited and fell into disrepair.
In 1752, it was acquired by the Bavarian Court, but in 1806 became the property of the State of Württemberg
Württemberg
Württemberg , formerly known as Wirtemberg or Wurtemberg, is an area and a former state in southwestern Germany, including parts of the regions Swabia and Franconia....
. In 1835 King William I of Württemberg
William I of Württemberg
William I was the second King of Württemberg from October 30, 1816 until his death.He was born in Lüben, the son of King Frederick I of Württemberg and his wife Duchess Augusta of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel .-First marriage:...
gave the castle to his adjutant Colonel von Fleischmann.
In 1846, the last lynx in Germany was hunted in these ruins.
In 1862, the Württemberg royal estates office took over the administration of the castle, which remained in the possession of the former royal family of Württemberg until 1964.
Throughout 1965–1966 the castle was restored by the district of Nürtingen
Nürtingen
Nürtingen is a town in the district of Esslingen in Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. It is located on the river Neckar.-History:The following events occurred, by year:*1046 : First mention of Niuritingin in the document of Speyer...
, now included in the district of Esslingen
Esslingen (district)
Esslingen is a district in the centre of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Neighboring districts are Rems-Murr, Göppingen, Reutlingen, Böblingen and the district-free city Stuttgart.-History:...
, under the supervision of the Baden-Württemberg Historical Monuments Department.
Legend
A legend about the origins of the castle was written by Wilhelm HauffWilhelm Hauff
Wilhelm Hauff was a German poet and novelist.-Early life:Hauff was born in Stuttgart, the son of August Friedrich Hauff, a secretary in the ministry of foreign affairs, and Hedwig Wilhelmine Elsaesser Hauff...
. The legend states that the castle was founded by a giant who had lived in a cave on the opposite side of the valley. In order to arrive at the building site, the giant only had to cross the valley with one large step. However, he did not step far enough and was left with a foot stuck in the marshy valley floor. When he pulled his foot out again, a spring rose from the footprint, which created the Lindach river.
Later, the castle was finished, except for one last nail. However, none of the craftsman dared to hammer in this final nail at such a height. There was only one young craftsman from the Neidlingen valley who dared to try. The giant held the young man to the window over the abyss, until he had finished the work. The craftsman was rewarded with riches and with the hand of the master builder's daughter in marriage.