Deutschordensschloss Kloppenheim

The Deutschordensschloss Kloppenheim is a quadrilateral fortified complex centered around an L-shaped manor with curved gable roofs and Renaissance details. Water ditches still surround the property, and the courtyard contains several auxiliary buildings that complete the original compound layout.

The Teutonic Order established a presence here starting in 1269, but major construction of the fortified manor began in 1409. Between 1706 and 1718, extensive renovations reshaped the buildings in Renaissance style, creating the complex as it stands today.

The complex long served as a regional center of authority for the Teutonic Order, shaping how locals understood power and religious life. Walking through the courtyard today, you can sense this historical role in the layout of the buildings and their strong defensive character.

The castle sits in Karben-Kloppenheim at Am Schloss 16-20 and is visible from outside paths and roads around it. Keep in mind that access to the interior courtyard and buildings may be restricted, so it is best to check local conditions before planning a visit to see the grounds up close.

After 1809, the property changed hands several times, moving from Hessian administration to noble families and eventually private owners. This shifting ownership reveals how a former military commandery gradually transformed into a private residence with no connection to its founding order.