Rieneck Castle

P3

Exterior

The Rieneck Castle is a castle dating back to about 1150 over the city Rieneck in Lower Franconia in Bavaria Sinntal. Today, it is the castle of the Association of Christian Youth Scouts and Guides (VCP ). Well known is the castle for their unique on the European mainland tower chapel, which completely located in the wall of the keep.

History

Louis I, Count of Loon and Rieneck let the so-called " castrum Rinecke ' around the year 1150 built on the northeastern border of the county Rieneck. Thus, the sphere of this noble family over the interests of the surrounding territories of Electoral Mainz, the Bishopric of Würzburg and Fulda Bishopric should be backed up. The small hill in Sinntal offered for due to natural obstacles excellent conditions: in one direction only had the castle are saved to this side by addition of a stitch trench and to minimize the attack surface of the plant. This is clearly shown in the floor plan of the keep, the 19 m high "Fat Tower", the outside is an irregular heptagon, which shows a peak in the direction of the nearby hill. The castle was initially only from the courtyard surrounded by ramparts and keep with its four to eight meter thick walls. Inside the castle walls next to half-timbered houses were built next to residential buildings, warehouses and stables, has been preserved only today vaulted cellar of the castle of which substantially.

Since the living was relatively uncomfortable in the tower of the castle, one lived only in time of war. There was no entrance on the ground floor ( the current entrance dates from the 19th century), but two additions to higher floors, which was reached by rapidly disposed of wooden stairs on the outside wall. The access at the level of the second floor leading to the main room of the tower, the hall of the count. Equipped with stove, sink and a "secret place" ( toilet) he was very comfortably furnished for that time. Equipped with its own access third floor housed the bower in which the Countess and her entourage were staying warm during a siege safe and because of the chimney from the count room. On this floor there is also the unique on the European mainland tower chapel. It is fully embedded in the outer wall of the tower, which the builder is likely to have the time confronted with a major challenge. The few surviving stone carvings on the walls still convey an impression of the magnificent former facilities of the chapel.

Around the year 1200, the castle was strongly fortified and, the 29 m high octagonal " Slim Tower " built to secure a larger garrison. He, too, had no windows and how the thickness of tower no level access initially. In the interior of the tower today, all traces of the former device are blurred and also its external was changed significantly. The " Eagle's Nest", the sixth floor and the present roof of the tower were built in the 20th century.

Following the expansion of the fortifications and the Romanesque court chapel was built. From its gable wall parts of the portal are still preserved. The origin and significance of the two dating back to around 1300 originating figure panels on the facade are not finally resolved until today. Thus, it is uncertain whether they originally belonged to the castle or were brought in the 19th century.

The castle was made a center of attraction for the population of the surrounding area. This contributed to the growth of lying below the castle hill resort Rieneck, which is referred to as a city since the early 13th century. Soon appeared the Count of Rieneck the castle but not more than befitting and they went Lohr as a residence before.

The castle retained its strategic importance as they secured the criteria ecki between territorial claims and the Birkenhainer Road, the main traffic route of the medieval region controlled. At least since the extinction of the Rienecker comital in 1559, the castle was no longer permanently inhabited, and fell into disrepair.

The existing since 1366 fief reverted to the Electorate of Mainz and the Bishopric of Würzburg. 1673 County Rieneck was sold to Count Johann Hartwig Nostic, so the ethical rights of an Imperial Count with seat and vote secured in the Reichstag. 1815 fall, the county Rieneck to Bavaria.

Around 1860, bought Professor Dr. Franz Rienecker the castle because he believed proved his close relationship to Rienecker Graf house. He put his assets for as extensive restoration and remodeling in the Gothic Revival style that today distinguish the medieval buildings of the structural changes of the 19th century sometimes difficult.

In the 1920s, the castle was in the possession of the poet and writer Walter Bloem. 1929 a massive reconstruction was made: In the dunes tower windows were broken, the connecting tract between the two towers was built and the roof was the first large dormers. Then Rieneck was first then used as a children's holiday home as an SA sports school, as a hospital, as a naval prison, and finally as a hospital.

The castle today as a scout Castle

In 1959, the castle of one on May 1, 1959 specially built unincorporated association " recreational and educational work of the Christian Scout Association Germany eV " Christian Scout Association of Germany ( CPD) first leased and purchased in 1967. The organization should ensure the economic independence, but especially for the protection of the Boy Scouts Association in front of him from the maintenance and operation are resulting risks. Since the merger of the Evangelical Scout associations (CPD, EMP and BCP ) for the Association of Christian Scouts and Guides (VCP ) of the association is called " education and recreation program Rieneck eV of the Association of Christian Scouts " - short BEW (change to 5 May 1973).

In 1976, in its current scope of the castle has been achieved with the construction of the hall building. After a refurbishment of the Hall tract until May 2003 it was another attic and thus in its current state. The Boy Scouts Rieneck is now one of the federal Centers of the Association of Christian Scouts and Guides (VCP ) as a legal successor of the CPD and is the international training and meeting center. In addition to meetings and training also offers arts of the VCP are held.

The castle has 134 beds and a number of meeting rooms with modern audio-visual equipment. In addition, there since 1998, a Scout campground for about 100 people at the foot of the castle, on which there is also a fixed sanitary building since 2003. Since 2006 there is a permanently installed high ropes course.

The General Assembly of the education and recreation program Rieneck eV (BEW ) is composed of four delegates from the so-called three "pillars" together: the VCP, the VCP eV ( legal entity of the Boy Scouts Association ) and the friends and Fördererkreis Rieneck eV In addition, may appoint up to six Knowledgeable the General Assembly. From the General Assembly of the five-member board is elected for a term of two years.