A castle has existed at the site at least since 1219. From then and for more than 400 years, it belonged to the Teutonic Order.[1] As such, it was the residence of the territorial commander of the Bailiwick of Franconia, the wealthiest of the 13 provinces of the Teutonic Order. A number of both medieval and Renaissance buildings have occupied the site. In 1718-1721, the residence was transformed into the presently visible, Baroque palace by Karl Heinrich von Hornstein [de] to designs by architect Franz Keller [de]. In 1775, additional changes in Neoclassical style were made, to designs by architect Pierre Michel d’Ixnard [de].[1][2][3]
The residence is built in a mixture of Baroque and Neoclassical. It consists of, notably, a church, princely suites, and an adjacent park.[1] The church is Baroque, as are several of the interior details, such as the stucco work by Franz Joseph Roth [de], frescos, wall panelling and original floors. The building also contains some of the finest Neoclassical interiors in Bavaria, owing both to the work of d’Ixnard and the re-furnishing carried out during the ownership of Karl Philipp von Wrede.[2] A park lies adjacent to the residence. Originally a formal, Baroque garden (depicted for the first time in 1726), it was transformed into a landscape garden during the 19th century. A few remaining Baroque architectural elements were destroyed during World War II, and today only a single balustrade remains from the Baroque garden.[5]
