Schloss Kirchheim, Renaissance palace in Kirchheim unter Teck, Germany

Schloss Kirchheim is a Renaissance palace on the edge of Kirchheim unter Teck's old town, built from 1538 as a corner bastion of the town walls and completed in 1556. Its irregular four-wing layout forms a diamond around a courtyard, enclosed by a deep moat that is now dry; the town wall still joins one side. The plain structure has two timber-framed storeys above a massive base.

Construction started in 1538 under Duke Ulrich of Württemberg, who wanted a fortified residence in this part of his territory. The castle survived military pressure during the 17th century mainly through negotiation rather than direct conflict.

The palace chapel owes its elaborate fittings to Duchess Magdalena Sibylla, who lived here from 1694 to 1712. From 1876 to 1908 the young Catholic parish held its services there. The chapel later housed the municipal history museum, which moved in in 1922.

The palace is cared for by Staatliche Schlösser und Gärten Baden-Württemberg. The museum rooms on the south side of the second floor are open to visitors; the rest of the building is used by the Pädagogisches Fachinstitut and its seminar, so only those rooms can be seen. The moat around the four wings is dry and can be walked.

The castle was originally ringed by bastions and artillery platforms built for its defense. Parts of these military features can still be read in the surrounding landscape for those who look closely.