Michelfeld Castle

Michelfeld Castle is a former noble residence in the Michelfeld district of Marktsteft in the Lower Franconian district of Kitzingen. Today, the property is used by an agricultural business. It is located on the outskirts of the village on Schloss Street.

The first mention of a noble seat in Michelfeld dates back to the 13th century. At that time, the Lords of Michelfeld held dominion over the village. A "Conradus de Michelvelt" is the first recorded of this name. Their rule ended in the 14th century. They were succeeded from 1332 by the Zollner von Halberg, who soon after also inhabited the castle and named a branch of their family after Michelfeld. In 1367, the castle was acquired by King Charles IV. Due to debts, his son Wenceslaus had to pawn the estate. In 1403, Burgrave Johann of Nuremberg received it for this reason. Since the pawn could never be redeemed, the Burgrave remained lord of the village and owner of the castle. The Peasants' War of 1525 brought great destruction to the building, as peasant hordes plundered and set fire to the hated noble residences. Since 1501, the Lords of Hutten had held the village and castle as a fief. A description from 1604 mentions a moat and describes the complex as rectangular. In the same year, 1604, the Lords of Hutten had to return the castle to the Margraves. The Lords of Thüna became the new owners. After the destruction of the Peasants' War had been largely cleared, the Thirty Years' War now raged and devastated the castle again. Under Julius Albrecht von Thüna, the castle was rebuilt, but the family incurred heavy debts for this.