Kohlstein Castle

Kohlstein Castle is located on a rocky hill in the village of Kohlstein, northwest of Tüchersfeld, and is the youngest castle foundation in Franconian Switzerland. It is also one of the smallest and most romantic castles.

The hilltop castle was probably built around 1486 by Konz von Hirschaid. It was originally likely the free property of the Lords of Hirschaid. Later, the feudal sovereignty passed to the Diocese of Bamberg.

In 1525, the castle was destroyed in the Peasants' War. Reconstruction took place immediately. In 1607/1608, the Hirschaid family had to sell the lordship due to lack of money. On May 23, 1608, Wolf Philipp Groß von Trockau zu Tüchersfeld was enfeoffed with the castle and lordship. During the Thirty Years' War, the castle seems to have been destroyed, as a simple new building was erected in 1636. A comprehensive renovation took place between 1707 and 1714.

The construction of a garden house probably also falls into this period. This garden house was converted into a castle or village chapel in 1743.

The Groß von Trockau, who called themselves zu Kohlstein and Tüchersfeld since 1658, had to sell the castle to Otto Philipp von Gutenberg in 1713. After his death, his niece Maria Anna Groß von Trockau inherited the castle and lordship.

The existing buildings today, a residential building with an attached tower, predominantly date from the 18th century. The tower was renovated in 1890.

In 1961, the Groß von Trockau family sold the castle, but not the associated castle and village chapel. The castle had several owners in the interim.