Neippergsches Castle

Neipperg Castle in the Klingenberg district of Heilbronn, situated on a mountain spur above the Neckar, dates back to the castle of the medieval local nobility. It was acquired by the Lords of Neipperg in the early 15th century and served as their main residence from the mid-16th century until the construction of Schwaigern Castle. The frequently rebuilt property, now used for residential and commercial purposes, retains remnants from many construction periods.

In the 13th century, Klingenberg Castle, along with the village of Klingenberg (which developed as a castle settlement) and the church patronage, was owned by Weissenburg Abbey. The abbey leased its Klingenberg property to the Margraviate of Baden, which in turn enfeoffed the Lords of Klingenberg, first mentioned in 1293 with a Reinbot (Remboto, Renbot) von Klingenberg. Reinbotstrasse in Klingenberg was named after him. In 1360, the Lords of Klingenberg participated in the war against Charles IV, siding with Counts Eberhard the Quarrelsome and Ulrich IV. The castle was captured by the army of Count Palatine Ruprecht, partly because the castle had become a "robber knight's castle" due to its predatory activities. On October 31, 1360, Emperor Charles IV permitted Heilbronn to use the stones of the Staufer castle, which is said to have been used to build the tower in Heilbronn later known as Götzenturm. In 1361, the Emperor also issued a ban on rebuilding the castle. In 1389, a "Burgstadel" (castle site) is still mentioned.

In 1407 and 1417, Eberhard von Neipperg acquired the margravial fief in two halves. The fief contract mentions a "Hofstatt" (farmstead). The Lords of Neipperg erected new buildings on the foundations of the castle. A castle is mentioned in 1439 and 1478, a fortress in 1522, and an associated wine press in 1539. Construction activity is also documented in 1577 under Philipp von Neipperg, who had his seat and thus the family's main residence in Klingenberg since 1554. From 1590, a forecourt is attested. In 1673, a distinction is made between an "Oberhaus" (upper house) and a dilapidated stone house. The still-preserved main building, the single-story "Schlössle" (small castle) facing the courtyard, was built in the mid-17th century in place of a predecessor building from the 16th century. At the same time, there were also plans for the new construction of a wine press, a dairy, and a cattle stable. The complex remained the main residence of the Lords of Neipperg until Schwaigern Castle was built in 1702.

In 1858 and 1861, the farm buildings were destroyed by fires and subsequently rebuilt by Heilbronn's city architect Louis de Millas. The complex was damaged in World War II. The servants' quarters, whose corner ashlar dates from 1526 and which had been baroque-style renovated in the 18th century, still have an emergency roof from the repairs after World War II. In 1950, a chapel with artistic glazing by Josef de Ponte was also established between the servants' house and the curtain wall.

The castle is now used for residential and commercial purposes.