Wiesenthau Castle, Renaissance castle in Wiesenthau, Germany

Wiesenthau Castle is a three-winged country house with four corner towers built in the mid-16th century, located in Upper Franconia near the Franconian Switzerland region. The original defensive walls and sections of the surrounding fortifications remain partially intact and shape the building's appearance.

The castle was first documented in 1379, when part of it was sold to the Bishopric of Bamberg; the lords of Wiesenthau, Bamberg ministeriales since 1128, stayed on as vassals. Hussite troops damaged it in 1430 and the Peasants' War hit it again in 1525. It was fundamentally rebuilt in 1566 and remained with the family until their line died out in 1814.

The castle's name comes from the lords of Wiesenthau, ministeriales of Bamberg documented from 1128, who held the castle until the family died out in 1814. Since a renovation between 1985 and 1992 the building has been used as a guesthouse and hotel, so visitors today encounter the Renaissance complex as an inn.

The castle now operates as a hotel where visitors can stay overnight, following extensive renovations that updated the facility. Keep in mind that it is privately owned, so access may be limited to those with reservations.

The castle's lords did not simply keep it: in 1460 the descendants of the original owners managed to buy Wiesenthau back after it had passed to the Bishopric of Bamberg, and in 1805 it went to the Wittelsbachs. The family held it until their line died out in 1814.