Schloss Obersontheim

Schloss Obersontheim is a Renaissance fortification with three round towers and a drawbridge entrance, arranged in a horseshoe-shaped layout. The structure includes a main wing and surrounds a central courtyard with an octagonal stair tower.

The castle was built in 1543 by Count Erasmus of Limpurg after he sold Limpurg Castle to Schwäbisch Hall. The date is inscribed in the keystone of the main wing, marking the establishment of this residence.

The name comes from its location along the Soont, a small stream that runs through the region. Operating as a care facility for many decades has woven the structure into local community life and social services.

The castle stands on the northwestern edge of a gentle hill in the center of Obersontheim and sits strategically between the larger towns of Schwäbisch Hall, Ellwangen, Gaildorf, and Crailsheim. Access is possible from the village square, with the surrounding terrain shaping the approach.

The octagonal stair tower in the courtyard contains a spiral staircase that exemplifies Renaissance architectural elegance. Most notably, the wooden rollers from the original drawbridge remain visible on the gate tower, offering a tangible link to its defensive past.