Schloss Kirrweiler

Schloss Kirrweiler stands in the village of Kirrweiler in the Landkreis Südliche Weinstraße. Once a medieval water castle, it later became a residence for the Bishops of Speyer. The earliest written record from 1280 names Bishop Friedrich von Bolanden as its first known owner. In 1316 Bishop Emich von Leiningen granted part of the castle to Ritter Dietrich von Kirrweiler and others. The Venningen family served as ministeriales for the bishops here until the 16th century. Emperor Karl IV confirmed the castle’s holdings in 1366. The site grew into an administrative centre for the Amt Kirrweiler in the 15th century. It survived the Peasants’ War and the wars of the 17th century largely intact. From 1720 Bishop Damian Hugo von Schönborn rebuilt it in a palatial style while keeping the old foundations. The French Revolution led to its demolition, leaving only the 18th-century Schaffnerei (today a winery) and remnants of the enclosing walls. Visitors can still trace the vanished castle’s layout. The core bailey was roughly circular with a diameter of about 40 metres, surrounded by a moat. A rectangular outer bailey lay to the north, also moated. Plans from 1720 show two wings and a stair turret; later plans add a third wing. A bridge with a gatehouse linked the outer bailey to the mainland. Today the old Schaffnerei in the former outer bailey houses a winery, and sections of the curtain wall remain standing.