Schloss Oberlauterbach, Medieval water castle in Pfeffenhausen, Germany
Schloss Oberlauterbach is a medieval water castle in Pfeffenhausen featuring a four-story brick structure with octagonal dome towers positioned at each corner. The buildings sit in an irregular arrangement around a central courtyard lined with arcades.
A noble family from the Wildenberg line founded the original castle in 1272, retaining ownership until another family called Puschen took control in 1527 and began making changes. This transition marked a turning point in how the estate was used and developed over the following centuries.
The family chapel in the north wing shows how noble residents practiced their faith within their home, creating a private space for daily prayers and religious observance.
You reach the castle across grounds surrounded by water ditches that form a natural boundary around the walls. Plan time to explore the two U-shaped courtyards, as their layout makes navigation around the site more interesting and requires a slower pace.
The two U-shaped courtyards were built years apart, the first around 1769 and the second about 18 years later, showing how the owner expanded the property in stages rather than all at once. This gradual growth adds layers of detail to how the buildings connect and flow into each other.
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