Kirchberg Castle

The origins of Kirchberg Castle date back to 1240, when a first castle with a chapel was built on this site. Raben von Kirchberg, a member of the von Sulz family, is mentioned as the builder in 1265. The Lords of Kirchberg, probably vassals of the Counts of Flügelau, expanded the complex until 1400. When Kirchberg came into the possession of the imperial cities of Rothenburg, Dinkelsbühl, and Hall in 1398 and was developed into a town, the castle complex was integrated into the town's fortifications. In 1562, Ludwig Kasimir von Hohenlohe bought the castle back. Between 1590 and 1597, under his aegis and that of his sons, a conversion from a medieval fortress to a Renaissance castle took place. This resulted in a four-winged complex with a hall building, two cross buildings, and connecting corridors, which was equipped with bastions on the town side. Only the neck ditch, some foundation walls, and a tower from around 1500 remained from the original construction. Count Joachim Albrecht von Hohenlohe made the castle his residence from 1650.