Schloss Unterschüpf, Renaissance water castle in Boxberg, Germany

Schloss Unterschüpf is an almost square two-storey building with three round corner towers and a small inner courtyard containing a staircase tower. Several keyhole embrasures give it a defensive look, although it was never a fortification, and a rusticated portal stands on the northeast side. Apart from the roofs and some enlarged windows, its exterior has survived nearly unchanged.

Schloss Unterschüpf was built from 1610 as a Renaissance residence for the Knights of Rosenberg, replacing a predecessor building of 1561. After the Rosenberg line died out in 1640, the castle passed as a Mainz fief to Melchior von Hatzfeld, a former follower of Wallenstein. His counts held it until 1794, and in 1808 it went to the Princes of Leiningen.

The castle displays Renaissance architectural features with its round corner towers and rusticated portal at the entrance. Visitors can see these design elements clearly while walking around the building.

The castle has been operated by the city of Boxberg as an educational center for children with speech impairments since the 1980s. Check ahead for opening hours and accessibility information before planning a visit.

The water moats that once surrounded the castle were filled in during 1830, yet its outer appearance remained remarkably unchanged compared to the original construction. This preservation makes the building a rare witness to early modern building design.