Castle Unteraufseß

Aufseß, Germany, Germany

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Castle Unteraufseß (Schloss Unteraufseß) is one of the oldest castles in Upper Franconia, located in the village of Aufseß in Bavaria’s Franconian Switzerland region.

The castle is the ancestral seat of the noble von und zu Aufseß family and was first documented in 1114, although its origins may date back to around 1007. Over the centuries, the castle was damaged during conflicts such as the Hussite invasions, the German Peasants’ War, and the Thirty Years’ War.

After being rebuilt in 1677, it took on much of its present appearance, including elegant residential wings, towers, and a castle church within its fortified walls. The castle remains in the ownership of the von Aufseß family today and is closely associated with Hans Freiherr von und zu Aufseß, founder of the Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg. As one of the region’s most significant historic residences, it offers visitors a glimpse into centuries of Franconian noble history and architecture.