Alt-Eberstein

Burg Alt- Eberstein - General view from the north

The fortress of Alt - Eberstein is the ruins of a castle on a spur of the Schlossberg north upstream hilltop just above the Baden-Baden area Ebersteinburg in Baden- Württemberg.

History

The spur castle on a strategic 480 m above sea level. NN high conical mountain located, was probably created in 1100 as the seat of the Counts of Eberstein. The oldest part of the castle is the shield wall. The castle was first mentioned in 1197 as Castrum Eberstein. The Counts of Eberstein built in the second half of the 13th century castle near Neu- Eberstein and took starting with Otto I ( 1207-1279 ) there also headquartered, while the old castle in 1240 during the wedding of Cunegonde of Eberstein with Margrave Rudolf I shared equally came from Baden as dowry to Cunegonde and sale of Rudolf I.. 1288 was also the Burgweiler Ebersteinburg to the local people.

After the fortress Alt - Eberstein was passed over to the Margraviate of Baden, it was probably extended considerably by the Margrave and sometimes even used as a residence, but it was soon awarded to Burgmannen. 1290 Johann is called by Berwartstein as Burgmann. By 1400 they brought to the castle under the margrave archive.

1434 was interned at the castle of Agnes Baden. This was born of the "twin fall of Gottorp " children of her husband Gerhard VII, who were begotten before marriage, which led to inheritance disputes after the untimely death Gerhards. As Agnes then the other marriage plans of her brother James I of Baden through an engagement with Hans von Höwen, an admirer of former days thwarted, Margrave James I his sister intern for the rest of her life at the castle Eberstein. Agnes died there blind in the first weeks of the year 1473rd

After Agnes ' death of Baden -domo Hans moved by mountains, the castle, he was followed by other dignitaries. No later than 1573 Alt- Eberstein was uninhabited and belonging to their estates were given to the church. The ruin has evolved into the popular quarry interested in building material Eberstein burger.

Conservation measures at the ruins have been held since the 19th century.

Saga

To the castle Alt- Eberstein is entwines a legend which is depicted in the pump room Baden -Baden: The Strasbourg Bishop is in a dispute with Emperor Otto I, in which the Counts of Eberstein available to the bishop to the side. The Emperor is not pleased and it decides the siege of the castle in order to starve the counts. When, after more than a year still no success of the siege is to be expected, the Emperor thinks of a cunning trick to be getting hold of the castle and invites them to a tournament to Speyer. His ulterior motive, without the presence of the Counts easy to take the castle. The Emperor's daughter is, however, pleased by recent counts and tells him her father's plan. The hastily returning Counts of Eberstein can the renewed attack of the imperial soldiers just fend off and remain victorious. Then the soldiers of the emperor were not too ambitious, the granaries and cellars of the counts are still very full and can still withstand a prolonged siege. To illustrate this point also to the Emperor, the Counts show the imperial inspectors their inventories. The Emperor, the siege costs too much money, is impressed by the craftiness of the counts and makes them his allies by giving his daughter Wendelgard the recent Count Eberhard wife.

Plant

From the former castle, only the shield wall and subsequently placed onto the shield wall donjon are now available essentially. The keep in the southeast corner of the complex has a square base and a height of 18 meters. The subsequent from the donjon to the west curtain wall of porphyry conglomerate blocks has a height of 14 meters and a length of 30 meters. To the northwest extends from the keep and curtain wall from about 20 x 20 meters large courtyard, which was completed to the west and east respectively of walls and kennels, to the north by a spacious palace. Southeast of the main castle was followed by an outer bailey.

Current usage

The Ruine Alt Eberstein is open during restaurant opening times for tours. It is one of the state-owned monuments and is supervised by the institution State Palaces and Gardens of Baden- Württemberg.