Blaues Schloss zu Obernzenn, Late Baroque castle in Obernzenn, Germany
The Blaues Schloss zu Obernzenn is a Baroque castle in the village of Obernzenn in Bavaria, built around a central courtyard with three wings. Its exterior walls are painted in a blue tone that gave the entire complex its name.
The Seckendorff-Aberdar family built the castle in three stages during the late 17th and mid 18th centuries, on the site of an older medieval moated fortress. Over time the structure shifted from a fortified place to a residential Baroque palace.
The portrait hall displays family paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries set directly into the walls. These images give a personal sense of the people who once lived here.
Some parts of the castle have narrow and uneven staircases, so comfortable footwear is a good idea. The blue facades and the courtyard are best seen in clear weather.
The blue color that names the whole complex originally came from the grand interior staircase, which was painted blue at a time when this was very rare for Bavarian castles. The color then spread to the outer walls, making the building stand out across the surrounding countryside.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
