History of the Castle

Like many medieval buildings, Castle Veldenstein's exact construction date is not known. Also, the builder is unknown. Was it King Konrad in 918 or the Bishop of Bamberg in 1007? Historical documents mention the main house first in 1269.

There were many occupants of the castle throughout the years. In the 14th and 15th century the Lords of Stor and Egloffstein became vassals of the Episcopal church and were responsible for the administration of the castle.

In 1486 the Prince Bishops began renovations to expand the bulwarks around the castle. The once simple administrative castle became a residence. A tablet of stone over the 2nd portal shows the Prince Bishop Henneberg's coat of arms and tells of the rebuilding of the castle (see picture Above). It reads "meister crhart bornacz gemacht maucrn thurm und thor das got beware und alle himmlish schare amen". In English it reads, "Master Erhart has built the walls, towers and doors. God and the heavenly hosts will protect it, Amen".

In the 16th and 17th century the the Prince Bishops took up residence in Veldenstein. In 1522 Prince Bishop Weigang of Redwitz gave the the brewing house with all of its rights to the citizens of Neuhaus, but maintained control over the castle.

The castle withstood many attempts to conquer it such as in the Town's War (1388-89) and the Hussite War (1419-32) and the Rural War. At the start of the Thirty year war (1632) weapons were much stronger which allowed Swedish and Bavarians to conquer the castle. During the Swedish and Bavarian attack the castle sustained substantial damage.

In April 1708 the castle again sustained damage, but this time it was mother nature. A bolt of lightening struck one of the towers exploding a large amount of gunpowder stored there, destroying the greatest part of the tower. The rebuilding took some time, as there was a shortage of money. The Bishop lost interest in the castle and diverted the available funds to build Castle Weibenstein in Pommersfelden. During the following years, Veldenstein changed ownership several times. One owner actually used it as a quarry which added to the devastation caused when the castle was conquered by the Swedish and the Bavarian's.

New life finally came to Castle Veldenstein when Dr. Hermann Von Epenstein (from Berlin) bought the castle in 1897 for the sum of 20.000 Marks. He restored the castle to its former state, finishing the project in 1914 for the sum of one million Marks.

From 1898 to 1912 Epenstein's friend Heinrich Goring lived in the castle with his two sons and wife. After Dr. Hermann Von Epenstein's death his widow left the castle to Heinrich Goring's son Hermann Goring in 1937. During this time Germany was gearing up for WW II and because Hermann Goring held a very high position within the Nazi party, he constructed a bomb-proof shelter under the castle containing its own electricity, oxygen, and water supply.

Rumor has it that Reich Marshal Hermann Goring hid a great deal of Nazi treasure taken during conquests over eastern Europe. When the war was over, the American army came to the castle with their pneumatic drills and pickaxes. Although they found five chests none of them contained the treasure rumored to be in the castle. Many treasure seekers visited the castle, but found nothing.

After the war's end, the castle was turned over to the Free State of Bavaria and used for refuge for refuges for many years, sometimes housing as many as one hundred people.

Today the State of Bavaria owns the castle which houses a wonderful hotel and restaurant operated by Mr. Oliver Betzelt and his family.