Espasingen Castle

Espasingen Castle, also known as Bodmann Castle, is a castle in Espasingen, a district of Stockach in the Konstanz district of Baden-Württemberg. Espasingen Castle was originally built in a large reed area on the lower reaches of the Stockacher Aach at an elevation of approximately 402 meters above sea level. The plain lies at the western end of the part of Lake Constance known as Lake Überlingen. Today, the castle is located within the village, on Riedstrasse, near the village thoroughfare and Federal Highway 313, at the southeastern end of the village.

The small castle was built at the end of the 16th century by the Lords of Bodman. It was first mentioned in 1620. From 1593, documents were issued at Espasingen Castle.

After the destruction of Altbodman Castle in the Thirty Years' War on August 15, 1643, by French troops of the governor of Überlingen, General Count de Corvaldem, and subsequent demolition, the noble family settled in Espasingen Castle. The castle itself was also destroyed in the Thirty Years' War. A new castle was then built by Hans von Bodman and his wife Maria Salome Schindelin von Unterraitenau between 1682 and 1685.

It was not until 1760 that the noble family moved into Bodman Castle. Numerous Lords of Bodman inhabited the castle. Most recently, Baron Johann Adam von und zu Bodman died there in 1816. Espasingen was the seat of power for almost 200 years.

In 1839, the castle was converted into the Count Bodman Brewery with an attached restaurant. On March 28, 1892, a devastating fire occurred. The former castle building largely burned down, leading to the destruction of the historic building fabric. Baron Franz von Bodman initiated a simplified reconstruction, effectively a new building, in the same year, so that beer could be brewed again in the spring of 1893. Beer production ceased in 1968.

As a subsequent use, a malting plant and a beverage wholesaler were established here by Adlerbrauerei Göggingen, but these were closed a few years ago. The silos are now used for storing corn and grain.

The "Bräustüble" (brewery pub) is located in the east wing, while the west wing and central building are empty.