Oberherrlingen Castle

Oberherrlingen Castle stands on a small mountain spur above the Kleines Lautertal valley in Herrlingen, a district of the municipality of Blaustein in the Alb-Donau-Kreis, Baden-Württemberg.

Originally built as Horningen Castle, also written Hörnigen Castle, in the 11th or 12th century, the manor was initially an imperial fief. After being destroyed multiple times in the 13th and 14th centuries, the complex was expanded in 1588 by Dietrich von Bernhausen into a three-story Renaissance castle with two pointed gables.

A relief in the vestibule bears the following inscription regarding this new construction: "In the year after Christ's birth 1588, on the 24th day of April, the noble and steadfast Dieterich von Bernhausen zu Herrlingen und Eckingen, together with his beloved wife Helena von Bernhausen, née von Rietheim, began to rebuild this Herrlingen Castle anew."

The Lords of Bernhausen then moved their main residence there from Klingenstein Castle. Their dominion in the Blau and Lauter valleys included the towns of Klingenstein and Herrlingen; from 1665 to 1803, they were Imperial Barons.

In 1839, Eugen von Maucler bought the complex and established a significant library in the castle.

Today, Oberherrlingen Castle houses an agricultural business. From the parking lot and hiking trail, one has a good view of the castle, but a visit is not possible. Above the now restored complex stands the pilgrimage chapel Maria Hilf, built in 1708.