Schloss Sandsee

Pleinfeld, Germany, Germany

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Schloss Sandsee is a historic castle near Pleinfeld in Bavaria, Germany, with origins dating back to the 12th century when it was established by the Counts of Hirschberg. After being acquired by the Prince-Bishopric of Eichstätt in 1302, it served as both an administrative center and a hunting lodge. The castle was damaged several times during regional conflicts, including the Thirty Years’ War, but it was rebuilt in the 17th century by Prince-Bishop Marquard Schenk von Castell. Despite later alterations and the loss of some historic structures, much of the complex remains an impressive example of a Franconian hilltop castle, with its enclosing walls, round tower, and residential wings still intact. Nevertheless, it remains one of the most distinctive historic landmarks in the Franconian Lake District and is admired for its picturesque setting and long history.