Rotes Schloss Heroldsberg, Renaissance castle in Heroldsberg, Germany

Rotes Schloss Heroldsberg is a three-storey castle built around 1589 by Julius Geuder after the destruction of 1552. Its ground floor retains humpback ashlar blocks with drafted edges and arrow slits from the earlier building, while the roof dormers with broken gables date from the early 18th century. The second floor has Baroque stucco ceilings by Donato Polli, and the first floor preserves Renaissance wood panelling.

The castle was rebuilt beginning in 1589 by Julius Geuder following its destruction in the Second Margrave War of 1552, receiving new structural elements. Later, baroque decorations were added to the interior during the early 18th century under Carl Benedikt Geuder.

The name refers to the colour of the window shutters, not to the sandstone. The courtyard, framed by former servants' houses, a barn, a bakehouse and a draw well, is occasionally used by the local cultural association for concerts and festivals.

The castle is privately owned and can only be viewed from outside, allowing visitors to examine the courtyard and facade up close. It makes sense to visit in the morning hours when fewer pedestrians are about and the light shows off the red shutters more effectively.

The noted artist Albrecht Dürer visited this location in 1510 and created his drawing 'Das Kirchdorf' here, which is now part of collections. This artistic connection shows that the castle was seen as a place of cultural importance during the Renaissance.