Hornberg Castle

The exact time of Hornberg Castle's construction is unknown, but its founding is presumed to be no later than the 11th century. It was first documented in 1184 as the property of the Counts of Lauffen. After the extinction of this line, the castle passed to the Lords of Dürn through marriage. In 1259, the Lords of Hornberg sold the complex to the Bishop of Speyer, who subsequently held feudal lordship over the castle and the surrounding villages. In the 14th and 15th centuries, the castle was the scene of frequent changes of ownership and pledges, often only in parts. In 1464, Speyer sold the entire castle to Lutz Schott von Schottenstein. After disputes with the Elector Palatine, Frederick the Victorious, who briefly conquered the castle, Conz Schott von Schottenstein, Lutz's son, managed to recapture the castle in 1504 and extensively fortify it. In 1517, Götz von Berlichingen acquired the castle and lived there until his death in 1562.