W OLFSEGG C ASTLE A SHORT G UIDE IN E NGLISH. Wolfsegg Castle drawn by Wassily Kandinsky in 1903

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1 W OLFSEGG C ASTLE A SHORT G UIDE IN E NGLISH Wolfsegg Castle drawn by Wassily Kandinsky in 1903

2 A short outlook on history Wolfsegg Castle is situated 15km to the north-west of Regensburg. Most recent investigations into its history showed that the oldest parts date back to The castle was altered or enlarged at later periods ( , around 1419, in the 16th century, around 1721, and in the 19th century). The imposing brick stair tower was added in the 16th century. Due to its slight strategic importance the castle has never been destroyed in its 700 years of history. For centuries mediaeval Wolfsegg Castle was the seat of tenants (i.e. estate officials from the lower ranks of nobility, German 'Ministerialen', cf. p. 5 ). It belonged to various aristocratic families, beginning with that of Wolf von Schönleiten, who presumably built and named Wolfsegg, and including the Lichteneckers, Laaberers, von Ecks, Thumers, Götzengriens and Silbermanns, and finally the Oberndorfers. In 1886 the latter gave the partially ruined castle to the local council. Until 1933 the buildings were first used as a school and living quarters for the teachers, and later as an accommodation for poor families. In 1933 Georg Rauchenberger from Regensburg bought the residential tract and the courtyard, which were in a semi-ruined state, and saved them from further decay at great personal sacrifice. The other buildings on the premises are now either in private hand or church property. In 1970 a trust was founded by Georg Rauchenberger. It is now responsible for the upkeep of castle and courtyard, a place of great architectural and historical importance. From 1986 to 1989 the buildings were completely renovated, and a permanent exhibition was prepared. With the help of authentic material it tries to paint an unvarnished picture of life in a castle in the Upper Palatinate, a life full of hardship and privation for the tenant, his family and the attendants.

3 A tour of Wolfsegg Castle Ground floor Cellar This room formerly was the stable and now contains the ticket office and an introduction to castles in general and to Wolfsegg Castle in particular. Some of the objects of interest found during excavations at the castle between 1978 and 1987 are on show in the cabinets. The next display illustrates the various phases in the construction of Wolfsegg Castle (13th to 20th century). On the information panel you can find: 1. a history of the lords of Wolfsegg 2. a map of the castles in the Upper Palatinate (625 of them can be proved to have existed!) 3. a description of the function of a castle as basis of a nobleman's exercise of power.

4 Lower Cellar (Cave Museum) Beneath Wolfsegg Castle there lies an extensive system of caves; its proportions are shown on a plan and in a model. The bones of animals and examples of mediaeval household refuse - all found in the caves - are displayed on the gallery. At the lower level, there are photographs of the caves taken when they were last explored in 1983, and also a life-size model of a cave-explorer with a complete set of equipment. A video gives information on "Exploring the cave". The upper stories of the castle can be reached via the 16th century stair-tower in the courtyard. First floor In the passage on the left there are some photographs of Wolfsegg Castle dating from the late 19th and early 20th century; on the opposite wall: mementoes of the partnership with Podsreda Castle in Slovenia. Parlour This was the only room that could be heated, by means of a tiled stove; for this reason it was used as the living-room. Here the tenant's family ate, slept and worked. Later the school-room and the teacher's living room was situated here (This room is now used for temporary exhibitions, meetings etc.). Ante-Room The panels give information on mediaeval economy: mediaeval coinage (Regensburg and Amberg pennies), the feudal system and agriculture.

5 The feudal system made the king the apex of a hierarchy of lords and vassals, and landlords and tenants. The lord-vassal relation ship was personal (allegiance), and involved military service and various duties in return for landholding (i.e. a fief or feudal tenure). The tenants-in-chief held their lands directly from the king and swore to assist him with contingents of knights. These knights rendered military assistance to the tenants-in-chief in return for lands. The German kings tried to reduce the influence of the higher nobility. They had reliable men from their own estates educated to take over duties as administrative or court officials, later as warriors, too. Within a few generations these estate officials ('Ministerialen') rose from serf to lower nobility, kept the estate as fief and owned a castle as was the case with hereditary nobility. Especially noteworthy are a display of foodstuffs typical of the Middle Ages, and the Gothic doorway of this room and its square window niches, both dating from the 15th century.

6 Kitchen The kitchen was built in here in the 17th century possibly because of its ancient tiled floor. Its original location is unknown. Cooking was done in a huge open fireplace. Mechanical spits (as that to be seen) came into use in the 16th century. Further items on display: a cupboard made of pinewood (mid-17th century), a case containing crockery, a holder for a chip of pinewood, a primitive means of lighting rooms, and two waffle-irons. A main task of mediaeval housekeeping was also preserving various kinds of food for the winter. Garderobe (Latrine) The latrine shaft is leading down into the open, i.e. the outer wall. This latrine could have had another function: in case of conquest and if it was the last refuge it could be defended by only one warrior in the corridor while the rest of the inhabitants tried to escape by abseiling through the window. On the other hand it was not unknown for a castle to be taken by soldiers intrepid enough to climb the shaft and risk the consequences. Second floor Side-chamber On display: Courtly poetry and minnesong in the Upper Palatinate. Seven poets (minnesingers) from the Upper Palatinate are presented in this room. One of them, Ulrich von Laber, owned the castle in the 14th century. Some reconstructions of mediaeval musical instruments are exhibited in the showcase. To hear a recording of music played on such instruments, press on the switch on the cupboard to the right of the picture display.

7 Chamber Women at the castle Running the household and bringing up the children were two most important duties among many others for a noblewoman. This room owns a certain notoriety: it is said to be the place where a noblewoman was murdered by her husband for alleged infidelity. Hence she has become the "White Lady" - an apparition that a number of persons have witnessed to turn up; several mediums say they can locate this very room by its gloom as the "White Lady's" of Wolfsegg Castle. Historical sources tell us that something terrible happened at the end of the 15th century, but there hasn't been any scientific proof of this apparition so far. The Knight's Hall This room seems to have been used on important occasions (receptions, meetings, balls) because it is decorated with what remains of a late Gothic vine ornament mural. The two memorials show owners of the castle in their armour

8 and weaponry similar to those displayed in the room. They are of the type used in tournaments, at war as well as for hunting. The wooden statue of St George was carved in the Upper Palatinate around 1470/80. Tower chamber (Rauchenberger memorial room) Georg Rauchenberger ( ) was the last private owner of Wolfsegg Castle. He was a common man, bought the property in 1933 and saved it from complete ruin at great personal expense. He founded the trust (Kuratorium Burg Wolfsegg e.v.) in 1970 that is now owner of the castle and has taken responsibility for the upkeep. This room is dedicated to his memory. The courtyard Excavations showed that it was filled with household refuse. During renovation a special classroom was built on the foundation walls of a former kitchen adjoining another building. In it special lessons are held for visiting schoolclasses. Every summer the stage and the terraces are used for cultural performances of all kinds. Second Edition 1997 Sources: English text: Layout: - first edition of this guide - Burgzeitung, MZ, Regensburg Hans-Uwe Rump, Ritterliches Leben auf Burg Wolfsegg, Regensburg 1990 adapted and emendated by Manfred Schön (StD i.r.) Dr. Andreas Schenkel