Gochsheim Castle

Graf-Eberstein Castle in the Gochsheim district of the city of Kraichtal in the Karlsruhe district of northwestern Baden-Württemberg dates back to a medieval castle and was one of the main residences of the Counts of Eberstein. The complex, which is only partially preserved, has been owned by the municipality since the 19th century and is now partly used as a museum.

The castle is located on the site of an earlier castle on a hill west above the Kraichbach. The town of Gochsheim, first mentioned as an Oppidum (city) in 1278, developed early around the medieval castle. The castle was owned by the Counts of Eberstein under changing feudal lords, who had the castle rebuilt from 1520. By 1580, a Renaissance-style complex consisting of the small Vorderes Schloss (Front Castle) and the larger Hinteres Schloss (Rear Castle) was built. Adjacent to the castle complex (on the site of today's school) was once also the stately wine press.

After the early death of Casimir von Eberstein in 1660, who left no male descendants, the Eberstein property passed to Württemberg via his daughter Albertina Sophie Esther († 1728), who was married to Friedrich-August von Württemberg-Neuenstadt († 1716).

The castle was damaged during the devastation of the city in 1689 in the War of the Palatine Succession by the French, and again during a city fire in 1739. In 1828/29, the larger Hinteres Schloss was demolished, the remaining Vorderes Schloss came into the possession of the city and was temporarily used as a school and, after the construction of a new school in 1905, was rebuilt into its present form.

Among the preserved original structural elements of the castle from its construction period in the 16th century are the stair tower, the main portal, and a stucco ceiling in the tower room. The building in the castle forecourt is a former farm building, which, due to the visible bossed ashlar on the south side, probably also dates back to the medieval castle.