Lauffen Castle towers high above the Neckar Island. It was built in the 11th century as a moated castle by the Counts of Lauffen and served as their seat until their line died out in the 13th century. After the destruction of the Thirty Years’ War, the so-called “Lower Castle” was rebuilt in 1648 as a residence and official seat for senior officials and an extension was added in 1716. In 1818, the municipality acquired the castle and garden and used the building as a town hall. It was not until the 19th century that the part of the complex standing perpendicular to the baroque long building and the eastern half-timbered building were constructed, which served as a fire station from 1862, the year the Laufen volunteer fire department was founded, until 1924. Since 1960, it has been the seat of the city planning office. In addition to a fountain, the courtyard and garden are home to the heraldic figure of the messenger, the Lauffener Männle, and on the west side, the Unity Linden Tree, which was planted on April 1, 1914, in memory of the union of the two districts “Stadt” and “Dorf” Lauffen to form the municipality of Lauffen am Neckar. Since 2006, the former residential tower of the castle has housed the castle museum, where every visitor can experience a piece of the 11th century live. The residential tower is the only one in Germany that dates back to the Salian period. The island castle with its residential tower and keep, which was added around 1200, is truly beautiful on the rocky plateau above the Neckar. Its inner courtyard is particularly enchanting with its beautifully landscaped garden, stone sculptures, fountain, and park benches that invite you to linger. From the castle courtyard, I had a magnificent view of the Regiswindis Church and the Neckar River opposite. I enjoyed the wonderful panorama in bright sunshine. The Grafenburg is the only island castle on the Neckar and always worth a visit for me.
