Mespelbrunn Castle

Mespelbrunn Castle, locally known as Schloss Mespelbrunn, lies south of the village of the same name, in the Bavaria region in Germany.

The predecessor of Mespelbrunn Castle was just a simple, unfortified manor house next to a small lake, built shortly after 1412 by Hamann Echter. At the time the area was a wild and unexploited virgin forest, used as a hideout by bandits and Hussites. So, already in 1427, Hamann's son rebuilt the house into a fortified castle with walls, towers, and a moat.

Between 1551 and 1569 the castle was reconstructed by Peter Echter of Mespelbrunn, and his wife Gertrud of Adelsheim, giving it its present appearance. Of the medieval castle only the round keep remained.

Because of its remote and secluded location, the castle escaped harm during the Thirty Years's War in the early 17th century. In 1665 the last male heir of the Echter family died. The castle then passed to the last Echter family member; Maria Ottilia, and because she had married a member of the Ingelheim family in 1648, it became a property of the Counts of Ingelheim. The family then were given imperial approval to name themselves Counts of Ingelheim called Echter von und zu Mespelbrunn.

In the 1930s the Ingelheim family experienced financial troubles which forced them to open Mespelbrunn Castle to the public. They still own it and inhabit the southern wing of the castle.

At present Mespelbrunn Castle can be visited for a fee. It is used as a museum and wedding venue. A nice castle, worth your visit.

Gallery