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Wernsdorf
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Wolframs - Eschenbach

Wuerzburg

Zeil am Main


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Wernsdorf
     Castle
More than thousand years ago the castle complex of Wernsdorf was an important fortification and the dividing line of the occident. To protect his clerics living in the ancestral rectory Karl der Große (Charlemagne) ordered to build military bases around the year 790. Today the big ancient donjons and the impressive fortification wall can still be seen. They were built in the Early Middle Ages already. In 1114 ministry officials are first mentioned in documents. They kept an "offene purg” ("open castle”) for the bishop of Bamberg. Around 1620 prince bishop Johann Gottfried of Aschhausen formed today’s castle complex.
Afterwards the castle is used as a hunting lodge, which is famous for its remarkable interior decoration. Ancient sources give an account of extensive sheep breeding, hop-growing, a brewery and taxes for the dome choir. A chapel and the fortification wall of the inner courtyard disappeared after secularization in 1803; the real estate was split.
The interior decoration became run-down over the years until royal forester Andreas Eisfelder made the castle habitable again and created the wonderful parkway in 1896.

In 1993 the CAPELLA ANTIQUA BAMBERGENSIS (CAB) and its director Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Spindler acquired the castle and the parkway. With more than 35,000 hours work the members of the CAB saved the castle from falling into decay. Today Wernsdorf castle is the home of the Academy for Ancient Music, History of Culture and Ideas of Europe.

Local History of Wernsdorf
In 1114 first proved by documents as "offene purg” ("open castle”).

1620: reconstruction by prince bishop Johann Gottfried of Aschhausen.

From 1803 on the castle slowly falls into a state of dilapidation.

1896: new owner Andreas Eisfelder, royal forester, makes the castle habitable again.

1993: Takeover of the castle by the Academy for Ancient Music, History of Culture and Ideas of Europe.