Stepperg Castle

The origins of the Stepperg Hofmark date back to its location first within the ducal, then royal, office of Neuburg an der Donau. From the 12th century, various noble families resided here as vassals of kings and dukes, including the Kalendine zu Neuburg and the Pappenheimers. The latter established ministerials who founded the local noble family of the Lords of Stepperg, beginning with Berthold von Stettenberg in 1214. After the extinction of this line in 1335, the Falkners and later the Hausners became lords of the castle. In 1526, the Hausners sold the Hofmark to Mang Emershofer. After further changes of ownership, including Sebastian Pemerle, Hans Jakob von Welser acquired the estate in 1561. The Welsers had the central wing of the current castle built in the late 16th century. Through marriage, the castle came into the possession of the Italian noble family De Servi, who served as high officials at the Neuburg court for a long time.