Schloss

Schloss Hofeck stands on a rocky spur above the town of Hof in Upper Franconia. The first fortified site was built in 1238 by the Vogt of Weida to protect his lands, and a knight called Murring held it until the early 15th century. Over the centuries the castle passed through many noble families—Aufseß, Waldenfels, von der Grün, Kotzau, Redwitz, Geilsdorf, Dobeneck, Lüchau—and in 1874 it was bought by the Grabner family of factory owners. After further owners it was restored by Hans Vießmann in the 1970s and now serves as a guest house for conferences. The castle’s long history is visible in its walls and layout. Originally a single fortified structure, it was later divided between two owners and then reunited. The main approach is grand and formal, leading into a park-like wood that surrounds the buildings. Traces of the old curtain wall and the medieval forecourt remain part of the scene. Visitors walk past the restored Renaissance and Baroque additions to the medieval core. The park’s tall trees frame views of the slate roofs and sandstone walls. Inside, rooms recall the castle’s centuries as a noble residence and later as a training centre. Local legends speak of a White Lady who wanders the grounds at night, of hidden caves in the hillside, and of a ghostly servant who still seeks peace after admitting a murderer long ago.