Schloss Bietigheim

Schloss Bietigheim stands in the south-west corner of Bietigheim’s old town, close to the market square. The whole complex was begun in 1386 at the request of Antonia Visconti, wife of Count Eberhard III of Württemberg. The original buildings included an Amtshof, the castle itself, a granary, cellars and a wine press. By 1506 the town had grown so large that a New Castle, or Württemberg Amtshaus, was built beside the old one to house the Vogt’s office. This new building was enlarged again in 1542. The castle suffered heavy fire damage in 1707, leaving only the Amtshaus standing. The old castle had already stood empty since 1667, so the Duke of Württemberg decided not to rebuild it. The outbuildings were repaired instead and later used by the regional church estate and the Bietigheim treasury. From the 19th century until 1999 the Amtshaus served as the town’s tax office. Today the complex shelters the municipal music school, the Labyrinth art school, the culture and sports office, an adult education centre, a small brewery and two shops. The buildings were restored between 2000 and 2002 and now form a lively hub for local life. Visitors can walk around the quiet courtyard and view the plain sandstone walls that recall the town’s medieval past.