Kemnat Castle (Ruin)

Kemnat Castle was built around 1185 by Volkmar and Markward von Apfeltrang, vassals of the Counts of Ronsberg. They subsequently named themselves the Lords of Kemnat after their new castle. Volkmar II von Kemnat, also known as “the Wise,” was a figure of his time. He served as city bailiff of Konstanz, founded the Cistercian convent of Oberschönenfeld, and maintained close ties with King Konrad IV, which led to his elevation to imperial ministerialis status in 1246. Later, from 1263, he was involved in the education of Konradin, the last Hohenstaufen heir. After Volkmar II, his son Markward took over the castle in 1284. The castle changed hands multiple times through inheritance and sale, including to the Lords of Ramschwag and the Lords of Benzenau. During the Peasants' War of 1525, Kemnat Castle remained unscathed. In 1551, Simprecht von Benzenau sold the complex to Kempten Abbey, which established an administrative office and built an official residence there.