Rothenberg Fortress

In 1478, Count Palatine Otto II set the condition for Rothenberg Castle to become a joint-fief or Ganerbenburg.

At the time of Silvester von Schaumberg, the castle was a "wasp's nest" with which even princes feared to fall out.

[3] In 1703, the free imperial city of Nürnberg melted a golden ducat commemorating the conquest of Rothenberg Castle.

[4] In the 18th century an important Rococo fortress, based on a French prototype, was built on the site by the Elector of Bavaria and German Emperor, Charles VII.

The site of the fortress on a hill ridge resembled that of medieval castles, that were often built on high points that were very difficult to access.

In this case, the hillside thus protected the fortress to the south, east and west from being stormed, but not from the powerful siege guns of that time.

In 1806 Napoleon annexed Franconia to the Kingdom of Bavaria and Rothenberg then became superfluous to the Bavarian Army as a border fortress.

In 1838 the Bavarian Minister of War sold the entire inventory, including doors, beams and everything that could be removed.