Schloss Kilchberg

Tübingen, Germany, Germany

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Schloss Kilchberg is a moated castle complex in the Kilchberg district of Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, originating from a high medieval water fortress with a unique octagonal (eight-sided) moat that is rare worldwide.

The site was first documented between 1261–1438 under the Lescher family, whose coat of arms remains Kilchberg's village symbol today, and the current castle was built in 1490–1500 by Georg I von Ehingen on foundations of a 13th-century ring wall castle, with further construction in 1577 replacing the original fortress while preserving the gate tower.

The well-preserved Staufer-era core with its octagonal structure is visible in the foundation walls, and the main building features plastered half-timbered construction with a steep saddle roof from the 17th century, unified in 1834 by architect Ludwig Gaab. After the Ehinger family died out in 1608, ownership changed hands several times until 1755 when the Freiherrn von Tessin acquired it through hereditary lease, becoming official owners in 1779 and remaining the private owners today.

The castle is privately owned and cannot be toured, but the orangery in the castle park can be rented for events, and the estate also houses the Deutsches Institut für Altersforschung (German Institute for Aging Research), with access via a southern bridge over the still-intact moat.