Rotenberg Castle

The existence of a fortification at this location is documented as early as 1255, when the knights Streipe von Rodenburg named themselves after it. Bishop Heinrich von Speyer mentioned a facility called Rothenburch in 1272. In 1329, the castle was forcibly taken by Bishop Walram von Veldenz. Later, in 1376, Bishop Adolf von Nassau pledged the castle and town to Crafto von Hohenlohe. After repeated pledges and redemptions, including by Bishop Nikolaus von Speyer in 1391 and Bishop Reinhard von Helmstatt in 1439, Rotenberg fell to the Electoral Palatinate in 1462 after the Battle of Seckenheim and a siege. It was not until 1505 that Bishop Philipp von Rosenberg managed to redeem it. During the Palatine Peasants' War in 1525, Rotenberg fell into the hands of the rebels and could only be recaptured with the support of Elector Ludwig of the Palatinate. Bishop Philipp II von Flersheim had the dilapidated castle converted into a palace between 1540 and 1542, as evidenced by a Renaissance portal. During the Thirty Years' War, the castle was burned down by the Swedes in 1633 but was later repaired.