Meersburg Castle

The origins of Meersburg Castle are subject to two theories. One suggests that Merovingian King Dagobert I had the Dagobert Tower built as early as 630, an assumption supported by a 1548 source. However, the first documented mention of the “Merdesburch” only occurred in 1147, although a Luitpolt de Merdesburch was already mentioned as a witness in 1113. A second theory dates the megalithic ashlar masonry in the foundation of the Dagobert Tower to the 12th or early 13th century, as numerous castles were built in the Lake Constance region during this period. From the mid-13th century, the castle was owned by the Prince-Bishops of Constance. In 1334, the castle was besieged during the Bishops' Feud, where fire artillery may have been used for the first time on German soil. Emperor Sigismund stayed at the castle in 1414 during the Council of Constance. Prince-Bishop Hugo von Hohenlandenberg made Meersburg his permanent residence and the bishops' main seat in 1526. During the Thirty Years' War in 1647, the roof structure was set on fire by Swedish troops.