Obrigheim Castle

En un regard

Le château en bref

In the centre of Obrigheim, next to the Protestant church, a large earthen mound is all that remains of one of the oldest castles in the Neckar valley. This motte castle, also called Mettelnburg, “alte Burg” or “niedere Burg”, is thought to date back to the 11th century: lords of Obrigheim are attested as early as 1081. In 1142 the brothers Meginlach, Wolprand and Hermann of Obrigheim gave it to the Bishopric of Worms; shortly afterwards Meginlach founded Lobenfeld Abbey. In the 13th century a family of ministeriales of the same name served the Hohenstaufen around the imperial palace of Wimpfen. In 1369 Count Palatine Rupert I bought the share of Konrad of Obrigheim together with the church; the castle was then pledged, and later enfeoffed in 1452 to Volkmar von Wiltperg and in 1464 to his son Gunter. In 1496 the Synod of Worms described it as very dilapidated, its last known mention. Remains of a portcullis survive at the entrance to the cemetery, and the church probably originated as the former castle chapel.