Ravensburg Castle Synopsis
Located 1.3 km east of Sulzfeld center on a Kohlbach valley spur (285.8 m elevation), Ravensburg is surrounded by vineyards. Construction used local Mühlbacher Schilfsandstein, sourced from quarries in Mühlbach and Sulzfeld, providing stone for the structure and slabs. The origin of specific materials remains unconfirmed.
Historical accounts conflict: a Göler family chronicle dates the start to c. 930 AD (attributed to Rabanus, likely myth). Another source credits imperial ministerialis Ravan von Wimpfen (von Sulzfeld) with building it between 1220–1222 (including the keep and walls). State records, however, date the castle itself to the 10th or 11th century. Near it, Steinsberg Castle (SL-002) also features a similar 30m keufern sandstone keep, dated c. 1220 AD.
The castle survived the Peasants’ War (1525). However, in the Schmalkaldic War, imperial troops besieged it on December 24, 1546. The garrison under Bernhard I Göler surrendered but faced subsequent looting and destruction, leaving visible fire damage today.
Bernhard I subsequently transformed the site into a modern fortress. One former gun tower (NE/SW) remains, featuring three fighting levels. From this tower runs an underground passage system (the sole surviving defensive route in Kraichgau), originally connecting all parts of the castle; excavated material formed a rampart outside the wall. The well, once 45m deep, is now dry. By 1617, the Sulzfelder complained about excessive building activity.
By the early 18th century, the focus shifted to residential use. A large residence for Hans Friedrich Göler and Katharina von Mentzingen (coat of arms: 1607) was built, along with two cellars. The original residences ("long gentleman," "fat gentleman") were demolished in 1807 and 1822. After the last resident died in 1849, the castle became a quarry until its official ruin declaration by Naeher in 1885. Since the 1950s, it has been conserved. Today, the inner ward houses a restaurant, and since 2006, a chapel is accessible (kept closed to the public due to safety concerns since 2022).
The current scan shows the complex at roof level: the keep, red roofs, and restaurant terrace parasol are visible. The namesake underground passage runs beneath this view and remains unseen.
source:
https://stonelight.maroncloud.de