Weikersheim is a German castle, situated on the River Tauber in the province of Baden-Württemberg; the seat of the Counts of Hohenlohe. In 1586 Wolfgang II, Count of Hohenlohe (1546–1610), began the conversion of the medieval moated castle into a prestigious residence.
Weikersheim Castle Architecture
The design by Georg Robin probably envisaged a building on the ground plan of an equilateral triangle, but only the south wing (1595–1603), built by Wolf Beringer, was completed. Its exterior was adorned with six scrollwork gables (1598).
The large Rittersaal, one of the most elaborate of the period, has a coffered wooden ceiling by Elias Gunzenhäuser (1583–1606), the coffering filled with realistic hunting scenes.
The Renaissance garden beyond the moat was replaced in 1708 by a Baroque garden designed by Daniel Mathieu. Garden sculptures by members of the Sommer family include the figure of Hercules Fighting the Hydra, the Olympian gods, the four elements, the four seasons, and the four winds.
A series of 16 dwarf figures caricaturing contemporary courtiers is the only gallery of garden sculptures inspired by Jacques Callot that has survived in its entirety.
An orangery, with two wings, was built at the south end of the garden, its open section on the main axis of the garden, giving a free view of the surrounding countryside. Lüttich also erected two low arcaded and curved buildings linking the Schloss with the market square of the town of Weikersheim.
Weikersheim Visitor Info
Palace and Gardens – Opening Times
April to October: daily between 9,00 and 18,00
November to March daily 10,00 – 12,00 and 13.00 – 17,00
The Alchemy in Weikersheim exhibition is open from April to October
Palace Guided Tours are available hourly
Guided group tours only available by prior booking
Tickets Info:
Adult ticket € 5.50
Reduced: Children under 15, students, soldiers (military ID), disabled persons, and persons serving voluntarily for an ecological or social service – ticket cost € 2.80
Family ticket € 13.80
Groups over 20 people – ticket cost € 4.90 pp
For more info Contact the Palace Administration:
Phone: +49(0) 79 34 / 9 92 95-0
Fax: +49(0) 79 34 / 9 92 95-12
Email: info@schloss-weikersheim.de or visit the official website.
Weikersheim Castle Location
Weikersheim Castle Address: Marktplatz 11, 97990 Weikersheim, Germany. Use this map to get directions: