Schloss Presteneck, Renaissance water castle in Stein am Kocher, Germany.
Schloss Presteneck is a three-winged Renaissance water castle located in Neuenstadt am Kocher, protected by high defensive walls. A distinctive round tower rises at the northeastern corner, and the main entrance features a fortified gatehouse with a prominent archway.
The von Gemmingen family acquired the site in 1549, and Hans Walther led the construction of this water castle beginning in 1580. This period marked a time of prosperity and architectural innovation for the local nobility.
The coat of arms displayed above the main entrance gate reflects the von Gemmingen family's long rule over this territory. The layout of the outer walls and courtyards shows how they organized their power and influence in the area.
The castle underwent major renovation from 1976 to 1981 and now contains private apartments, so interior access is not available. You can view the exterior and facades from the surrounding paths that run around the property.
A barn dating to 1579 stands as the oldest surviving structure on the castle grounds and hints at the earliest stages of the site. Inscriptions carved into the gatehouse from 1582 and 1583 document the craftsmen involved in the castle's development.
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