“There was once an old castle, that stood in the middle of a deep gloomy wood, and in the castle lived an old fairy.”
A small castle built on the mountainside around 1200 established the village of Hornberg. The castle and its environs were controlled for much of the past 800 years by the Swabians. It wasn’t until Napolean reorganized the region that Hornberg became part of the Baden state.
- Hornberg History:
- Famous Castle Residents:
- Where To Stay
- Hotel Schloss Hornberg: https://www.schloss-hornberg.de/en/
- Auf dem Schlossberg 1 78132 Hornberg / Schwarzwald
- Telefon +49 (0 ) 78 33 / 96 55 0 Fax +49 (0 ) 78 33 / 96 55 60 5 E-Mail info(at)schloss-hornberg.de
Hornberg History:
Hornberg Castle began construction around 1100; however the Lords of Hornberg didn’t relocate their headquarters here until 1200. Granite blocks discovered without binding agents have helped establish the construction time period The ruins can be found approximately 100 meters above the old town of Hornberg at an altitude of 455 meters (1,493 feet) on a flat mountain ledge between Gutachtal and Offenbachtal. The site encompasses 150 meters (492 feet) from southeast to northwest. Steep, rocky slopes on three sides provided the castle with defense as well as good visibility. The castle was able to retain control over the valleys of Gutach, Reichenbach/Schwanenbach and Offenbach. This was critical to protect the Gutachal Trade Routes.
Bruno Werner von Hornberg sold his share of the castle and estate to the Counts of Württemberg in 1423. It wasn’t until 1443, that the Württembergers were able to buy the rest from Konrad von Hornberg and acquire full possession of Hornberg.
Württemberg’s goals were to improve the water supply, the living and economic space of its administrative headquarters. In 1554, the well room and the water pipes were built. A new residential building was built in 1564 on the northeast side of the keep when the old one on the southeast side was demolished. In 1621 the powder tower was added to the east of the keep
Prior to his command of Hohentwiel Fortress, Konrad Widerholt was commander of the Hornburg from 1633-34 and was able to hold the castle through five sieges even though nearby Althornberg Castle was taken and eventually burned by the French and Swedes during the Thirty Years’ War. The Hornburg was never fell.
Unfortunately, the castle was burned on January 9, 1689 by French Lieutenant General Noel Bouton de Chamilly during the War of the Palatinate Succession. Eventually, Hornberg became a garrison town for the Swabian district and provided accommodation for troops and officer with a commandant’s building added in 1736 below the keep and a barracks constructed in 1739. These buildings are also known as baroque palaces . The commandant’s building was later renovated to accommodate the residence of Augusta Elisabetha Maria von Thurn und Taxis. The barracks sustained structural damage and were demolished around 1800 with remaining buildings converted into a tobacco factory in 1802 before being dismantled in 1823. A brewery acquired the castle in 1841 and established production in the garden and the malthouse in the powder tower until1896 when the brewery was demolished and a hotel was built.
The 17 meter (56 foot) tower remains. It is easily accessible during daylight hours and provides a wonderful overlook of the Hornberg and Gutachal.
Famous Castle Residents:
The Minstrel Bruno von Hornberg lived at the castle between 1275 and 1310. His musical works are included in The Great Heidelberg Song Manuscript C. This body of work indicates he participated in festivities that involved singing knights tales. In 1276 he met King Rudolf of Habsburg in Basel.
Theologian Johannes Brenz, in 1523, initiated the transition to the Reformation in the imperial city of Schwäbisch Hall , which was completed with the church regulations of 1543. After his victory in the Schmalkaldic War, Emperor Charles V had theologians draw up the Augsburg Interim in 1548 , which was intended to bring the feuding denominations together again.
Princess Augusta Elisabetha Maria von Thurn und Taxis, née Princess of Württemberg (1734–1787), the daughter of Marie-Auguste von Thurn und Taxis and Duke Karl Alexander of Württemberg served her seven year prison sentence here from 1780-1787. Auguste Elisabeth was married to her cousin, Prince Karl Anselm von Thurn and Taxis , on September 3, 1753 in Stuttgart. The couple produced eight children by 1772. After several murder attempts on her husband, she was placed under strict house arrest in January 1776, at Trugenhofen Castle near Dischingen (later renamed Taxis Castle ) and later, after consultation with her brother, Duke Karl Eugen of Württemberg , to Hornberg Castle in the Black Forest, where she died of a stroke on June 4, 1787. She was buried in the Catholic section of the Württemberg princely crypt in the Ludwigsburg palace chapel .
Where To Stay
Hotel Schloss Hornberg: https://www.schloss-hornberg.de/en/
Auf dem Schlossberg 1
78132 Hornberg / Schwarzwald
Telefon +49 (0 ) 78 33 / 96 55 0
Fax +49 (0 ) 78 33 / 96 55 60 5
E-Mail info(at)schloss-hornberg.de
This is a lovely family owned and operated hotel. Situated overlooking the town of Hornberg, it offers beautiful vistas of the Black Forest rolling hills from its dining room and bedroom windows. The ruins of Schloss (castle) Hornberg are located on the grounds and are great to explore after dinner or in the early morning. The rooms are a decent size and come with private bath. The restaurant offers an excellent menu with classic dishes bursting with flavor at affordable prices- be sure and check out the desserts- the apple strudel and Black Forest sundae were extremely popular in our group. The staff do speak English. Onsite parking is available. Bookings can be done direct through the hotel website as well as popular sites such as Booking. com. https://www.booking.com/
The Hotel Schloss Hornberg offers one the opportunity to stay in the majestic fairy tale setting of the Black Forest without the tourist trappings. It is peaceful, and private.
Onward Trip 