The ruins of Henneberg Castle (also known as Henneburg) are located to the east of the village of Henneberg on the so-called Schlossberg in southern Thuringia. Until the 13th century, Henneberg Castle was the ancestral seat of the Counts of Henneberg, who were one of the most powerful and influential noble families in south-east Germany.

At the back of the keep, a steel staircase leads up to the viewing point, from where you can enjoy a wonderful view and the best overview of the castle. The Henneberg castle ruins are freely accessible. Guided tours can be arranged with the Club Henneberg e.V.

History

The castle was first mentioned in 1096 in a document with Counts Godebold II and Poppo von Henneberg. However, archaeological investigations suggest that the fortifications already existed before this time. The Counts of Henneberg founded their house monastery of Veßra in 1131, which served as a burial place for several generations. They also held the office of Burgrave of Würzburg for a long time. The first written mention of the castle dates back to 1221, which marks the beginning of a brief period of prosperity for the complex (approx. 1220 to 1274). During this period, the castle was extended and fortified in order to meet the representative requirements. The current keep, a palas and a large part of the curtain wall were rebuilt.

In 1274, the counts' house was divided again, which meant that Henneburg Castle was no longer used as a residence. Nevertheless, the extensive renovations of later eras bear witness to the importance of the castle, even if it no longer served as a residence. In 1310, Berthold VII von Henneberg-Schleusingen was elevated to the rank of prince. In 1393, part of the castle was pledged to the Henneberg-Römhild line, which led to disputes. A contract for the use of the divided castle exists from 1432.

In May 1525, Henneberg Castle was taken, plundered and set on fire by the peasants of Bildhausen without a fight during the Franconian peasant uprisings. The exact extent of the destruction is not known, as the castle had already lost its importance by this time. After the death of the last Count of Henneberg-Schleusingen in 1583, the castle was still inhabited until the early 17th century. After that, the castle began its gradual decline and demolition.

After 1989, the castle was secured and renovated, having previously been located in the border area of the German-German division. Archaeological excavations were carried out in the 1990s and early 2000s to find out more about the history of the castle.

Curiosities

In 1887, Albert Henneberg had a miniature replica of Henneburg Castle built on a scale of 1:4 in Hamburg-Poppenbüttel. This "Henneberg Castle" was intended as a reminder of the ancestral castle in Meiningen and is listed as a cultural monument in Hamburg-Poppenbüttel.