Willibald Castle

The origins of Willibaldsburg Castle date back to 1070, when an initial fortification on the Willibaldsberg was mentioned. Around 1355, under Bishop Berthold von Zollern, expansion began to transform it into a fortified residence, as the bishops had to organize the military security of the diocese themselves after the extinction of the Counts of Hirschberg in 1305. Despite initial resistance from the cathedral chapter due to high costs, the bishop prevailed. The castle was expanded and strengthened under various bishops, including Friedrich IV von Oettingen, Albrecht II von Hohenrechberg, and Martin von Schaumberg, whose “Schaumbergbau” shaped the castle's appearance until the 19th century. Under Bishop Johann Konrad von Gemmingen, a Renaissance castle in the Italian style began to be built from 1609, designed by the Augsburg city architect Elias Holl. Although the Swedes managed to capture the fortress in 1633 during the Thirty Years' War, the Catholic troops succeeded in recapturing it.