Breitenlohe Castle

In the year 1340, the moated castle in Breitenlohe is mentioned for the first time in a document. At this time, it is owned by Albrecht von Hohenlohe. In the same century, Countess Adelheid and her son Johann sell the property to the nobles von Vestenberg. Albrecht von Vestenberg is said to have been Lord of Breitenlohe and Burghaslach before. Under the Vestenbergs, the moated castle is rebuilt: in 1468, it is still referred to as a "dwelling" Breitenlohe, in 1474 as "Kemenaten" (living and sleeping quarters of a castle), in 1487 as a "castle".

During the Peasants' Wars in the 16th century, the castle is destroyed, leaving only ruins. Especially around 1525, the mostly serf peasants rise up against their oppressors. However, they do not succeed in freeing themselves from this serfdom.

In 1569, there are reports of transport services by the Breitenlohe peasants for the castle construction undertaken by Kunz Christoph von Vestenberg. It can therefore be assumed that the current building was constructed at this time. The earliest dating from the castle dates from 1585. It is preserved in a scratched drawing by a prisoner in the southwest tower.

In 1592, the completely indebted Sigismund von Vestenberg sells the castle and its grounds to Lorenz von Münster zu Lisberg (near Bamberg). Under the Münster family, who determine events in and around Breitenlohe for two centuries, the castle is partially baroqueized. In 1783, the castle and its grounds are sold to the Counts of Castell.

In 1942, the waterworks entrepreneur Georg Jaeckel buys the castle. He relocates his business from Berlin to Breitenlohe. The building is in danger of collapse. After the war, over a hundred people temporarily lived in the castle, some of whom sought temporary shelter there as refugees.

The current owners, Bodo and Gisela Friedrich, inherited it from Georg Jaeckel. In several construction phases, they completely restored the castle. In the last major construction phase in 2003, the towers were re-roofed and the Knights' Hall ceiling was re-anchored. In recent decades, the owners have made significant personal contributions.