Schloss Schönau, Rottal, Medieval castle in Schönau, Germany
Schloss Schönau is a castle in Bavaria with two residential wings topped by stepped gables, a seven-story keep, an entrance building, and a fortification tower at the northwest corner. These separate structures combine to form a fortified complex with varied architectural features.
The castle was founded in the 15th century by the Berghofer family, with its Hofmark status confirmed by Duke Albrecht IV in 1506. Between 1900 and 1903, architect Gabriel von Seidl transformed it into a villa in castle style while preserving its historic elements.
The castle grounds feature a park laid out by Carl von Effner in 1867, blending parkland design with native and exotic tree specimens such as sugar maples and Japanese larches. Visitors can walk through these carefully planted areas that surround the structure today.
The public has had access to the park since the 1930s, allowing visitors to explore pathways through both developed and natural areas around the site. Visitors can observe the architecture from outside and take in the surrounding grounds at a leisurely pace.
The castle underwent a significant transformation in the early 1900s by one of Bavaria's leading architects, yet this change remains subtle when viewing the exterior. The blend of original medieval sections and later additions was carefully considered to avoid a jarring appearance.
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