Castle history
Neuenbürg Castle occupied a strategically advantageous location from which the surrounding area could be developed and defended. It was a favorable location as a starting point for the settlement of the Enz-Nagold region, and the iron ore mines may have been another factor. Counts of Württemberg This was clearly recognized when they acquired Neuenbürg around 1320 and established an official residence for the town and five villages. Whether they also built the "Rear Castle," the present ruin, is unknown. In any case, the fort, later used as a granary (1572-1767), was built as an outwork on the eastern ridge around the 14th century and was properly surrounded by battlements, shell towers, and a moat.
Construction of the "Front Castle" was begun under Duke Christoph (reigned 1555-1568). The ground plan was largely retained. Still visible parts of the old castle are the keep and the late Gothic "Birnstabportal" on the ground floor of the north wing. For a long time, the castle must have resembled more of a large-scale construction site than a representative princely residence. But around 1610, none other than the princely Master builder Heinrich Schickhardt with the interior design and the planning of a pleasure garden. This required leveling the "rocky hilltop" between the front and rear castles. This was no easy task, and the work was not completed until 1620. Despite the expensive improvements, a generous appanage, and ample court personnel, the princes honored with Neuenbürg Castle, Duke Magnus (1594-1622) and Duke Ulrich (1617-1671), were not lured to the Black Forest province. Their nature drew them to war.
The painter and sculptor Hans Ludwig Pfeiffer (1903-1999) came to Neuenbürg in 1953 because of a studio in the castle and was finally able to move in in 1967. Before that, he had worked with the artist Paul Kälberer Lahore Bernstein School Pfeiffer remained at Neuenbürg Castle until 1990, during which time he created several of his Dadaist, socially critical works in the "horse stable," including the evolutionary drama "Theatrum Mundi."
From the castle, one can reach the so-called Rear Castle via the enclosed castle garden. A circular wall, a battlement with defensive towers, and a deep moat have been preserved from the fort located to the east of the castle complex. From 1572 to 1767, the building was used as a granary and was equipped with numerous windows and doorways.
In the early 1980s, a search began for a new use for Neuenbürg Castle. In addition to clarifying the content, the question of ownership was crucial. Neuenbürg Castle is state-owned, operated by the town of Neuenbürg, and has been a branch museum of the Baden State Museum KarlsruheThe state-run catering industry has found a reliable and competent partner.
Castle
St. George's Church
