What is the oldest part of Schloss Thurnau?

It is the Kemenate, a thirteenth century residential tower built by the Förtsch knights on a sandstone outcrop, which still dominates the castle complex.

Who owned Schloss Thurnau over the centuries?

After the Förtsch line died out in 1566, the castle was shared between the von Künsberg and von Giech families, with the Giechs becoming sole owners from 1731 until the twentieth century.

Is Schloss Thurnau still inhabited today?

The owning family left the castle in 1975; since then it has belonged to a foundation and partly houses a research centre linked to the University of Bayreuth.

What happened at Schloss Thurnau after the Second World War?

In 1945 the castle sheltered more than eighty displaced people, among them the pianist Wilhelm Kempff.

Schloss Thurnau

Thurnau Castle

Thurnau

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Where: Thurnau

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Schloss Thurnau stands in Thurnau (Landkreis Kulmbach), in Bavaria, Germany. The building is a listed Baudenkmal. Its opening hours and prices have not been verified at the source yet.

Schloss Thurnau stands in Thurnau, in the Landkreis Kulmbach in Bavaria, and ranks among the largest castle complexes in Franconia. Its oldest core, a thirteenth century residential tower built on a sandstone outcrop by the knights of Förtsch, was gradually surrounded by Renaissance and later Baroque wings over the following centuries. Two separate courtyards, linked by a vaulted gate passage, structure the site, dominated by the silhouette of that early tower and flanked by two towers on its southern side. Visitors today find facades blending medieval stonework, Renaissance ornament and nineteenth century neo-Gothic additions.

What to know

The complex consists of two courtyards, upper and lower, each reached from the village by its own separate access.
Part of the buildings is used by a research centre and by the University of Bayreuth, which limits access to certain wings.
The site is undergoing a long term restoration supported by the Bavarian state, so scaffolding or closed areas may be present depending on the period of a visit.
The sloping ground and the rock on which the medieval tower stands mean there are some level changes within the grounds.

Practical information

Visit duration: Not verified
Wheelchair access: Not verified
Dogs: Not verified
Parking: Not verified

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Where this château is

Thurnau · Landkreis Kulmbach · Bayern

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Marktpl. 1, 95349 Thurnau

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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Château phone number

+49 9228 9540

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4.5 / 5from 915 Google reviews

Heritage status: Baudenkmal in Bayern

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Frequently asked

What is the oldest part of Schloss Thurnau?: It is the Kemenate, a thirteenth century residential tower built by the Förtsch knights on a sandstone outcrop, which still dominates the castle complex.
Who owned Schloss Thurnau over the centuries?: After the Förtsch line died out in 1566, the castle was shared between the von Künsberg and von Giech families, with the Giechs becoming sole owners from 1731 until the twentieth century.
Is Schloss Thurnau still inhabited today?: The owning family left the castle in 1975; since then it has belonged to a foundation and partly houses a research centre linked to the University of Bayreuth.
What happened at Schloss Thurnau after the Second World War?: In 1945 the castle sheltered more than eighty displaced people, among them the pianist Wilhelm Kempff.