Exploring Sommersdorf: A Bavarian Village's Location And Charm

Sommersdorf is a municipality in the Börde district in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. The name is derived from the noble Sunnemannesdorf family, who settled in the area in the 13th century. The castle in Sommersdorf, Schloss Sommersdorf, was built in the 14th century by Ludwig von Eyb and has been owned by the von Crailsheim family since 1550. The castle boasts a moat, turrets, towers, spiral staircases, and a stone bridge. It is located in the region of Germany known as Franconia in northern Bavaria, near where the Romantic Road and the Castle Road cross.

Sommersdorf is a municipality in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany

Sommersdorf is a municipality in the Börde district of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is named after the noble Sunnemannesdorf family, who settled in the area in the 13th century. The village was absorbed into the municipality of Marienborn in 2010.

The area is known for its picturesque castles, including the 14th-century Sommersdorf Castle, built by Ludwig von Eyb. The castle has been in the possession of the von Crailsheim family since 1550, when Wolf von Crailsheim brought Protestantism to the region.

Sommersdorf is located in the heart of Bavaria, along the Romantic Road and the Castle Road. The region boasts stunning countryside, quaint villages, and historic sites, making it a popular destination for those seeking a fairy-tale-like escape.

The castle itself is a true medieval gem, featuring a moat, turrets, towers, spiral staircases, and a stone bridge. Visitors can even stay in one of the castle's apartments or guest rooms, which are furnished with antiques and period pieces. The von Crailsheim family, who still reside in the castle, are known for their warm hospitality, often inviting guests for wine and cheese and offering extensive information about the area.

The noble Sunnemannesdorf family settled in the area in the 13th century

Sommersdorf, a village in the region of Germany known as Franconia in northern Bavaria, takes its name from the noble Sunnemannesdorf family, who settled in the area in the 13th century. The Sunnemannesdorf family built a castle in the 14th century, which was constructed by Ludwig von Eyb. A noteworthy family member is his grandson, Albrecht von Eyb, who was born at the castle and later became Germany’s first humanistic writer.

In 1550, the von Crailsheim family took possession of the castle. The following year, Wolf von Crailsheim introduced Protestantism to Sommersdorf. The Thirty Years War (1618-1648) brought plundering, burning, and looting to the town, but the castle remained relatively unscathed.

The von Crailsheim family have lived at Schloss Sommersdorf for the last 100 years. The current resident of Castle Sommersdorf is Baron Manfred Dr. von Crailsheim, who lives there with his wife. The Crailsheims are a large extended family dynasty with a tradition of public service, and they still own several castles.

The von Crailsheim family have owned the castle since 1550

Sommersdorf is a tiny village in the region of Germany known as Franconia in northern Bavaria, near where the Romantic Road and the Castle Road cross. The village takes its name from the noble Sunnemannesdorf family, who settled in the area in the 13th century.

The von Crailsheim family have owned Sommersdorf Castle since 1550, when Wolf von Crailsheim brought Protestantism to the neighbourhood. The castle itself was built in the 14th century by Ludwig von Eyb, and is surrounded by a moat and walls. The current resident of Castle Sommersdorf is Baron Manfred Dr. von Crailsheim, who lives there with his wife. The Crailsheim family is a large extended family dynasty with a tradition of public service, and they own several castles. One von Crailsheim was a high official in the court of King Ludwig II of Bavaria and tried to have him certified insane due to his obsession with castle-building.

The castle has been renovated several times since the von Crailsheims took ownership, including in the mid-19th century when the drawbridge was replaced by a stone bridge and a new top floor was added. The von Crailsheims have also opened up the castle to paying guests, offering bed and breakfast lodging in two guest rooms and three furnished self-catering apartments. Guests are free to roam the property, which includes a garage full of classic cars and a collection of Tanzanian spears. The castle also has a small swimming pool.

The Thirty Years War (1618-1648) brought plundering and burning to the town

Sommersdorf is a village in the region of Germany known as Franconia in northern Bavaria, near where the Romantic Road and the Castle Road cross. The village takes its name from the noble Sunnemannesdorf family, who settled in the area in the 13th century.

The Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) brought plundering, burning, and looting to Sommersdorf. Houses in the village were plundered and burned, fields lay fallow, and the population was severely decimated by war and plague. However, the castle in Sommersdorf survived relatively unscathed.

The Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in Central Europe and was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history. An estimated 4.5 to 8 million soldiers and civilians died from the effects of battle, famine, or disease, while parts of Germany reported population declines of over 50%. The war can be seen as a continuation of the religious conflict initiated by the 16th-century Reformation within the Holy Roman Empire, with Catholics on one side and Protestants on the other. The war also involved broader struggles for European dominance between Habsburg-ruled Spain and Austria, and the French House of Bourbon.

The outbreak of the war is generally traced to 1618, when Emperor Ferdinand II was deposed as king of Bohemia and replaced by the Protestant Frederick V of the Palatinate. Although Imperial forces quickly suppressed the Bohemian Revolt, the conflict expanded into the Palatinate, drawing in external powers such as the Dutch Republic and Spain. The war also provided an opportunity for rulers like Christian IV of Denmark and Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden to intervene and pursue their own territorial ambitions.

The period from 1618 to 1635 was primarily a civil war within the Holy Roman Empire, with support from these external powers. After 1635, the war became a wider struggle between France, chiefly supported by Sweden, and Emperor Ferdinand III, whose principal ally was Spain. The fighting ended with the 1648 Peace of Westphalia, which included greater autonomy within the empire for states like Bavaria and Saxony, as well as acceptance of Dutch independence by Spain.

The Thirty Years' War had a devastating impact on Sommersdorf and many other towns and villages in the region. The breakdown of social order, widespread destruction, and the collapse of local government created landless peasants, who banded together for protection from soldiers of both sides. The war also disrupted food supplies, leading to widespread famine and disease. The population of Sommersdorf and other affected areas suffered severe losses and took many years to recover.

The castle has everything a castle lover could desire: moat, turrets, towers, and a stone bridge

Schloss Sommersdorf is a majestic moated castle in Franconia, Bavaria, Germany. The castle dates back to 1208 and has been in the von Crailsheim family since 1550. The von Crailsheims are a large extended family with a history of public service, and they still own several castles.

The castle has everything a castle lover could desire: a moat, turrets, towers, and a stone bridge. The moat and walls still encircle the castle, which comprises the Old Castle, a watchtower, a church, and the New Castle, added in 1750. The current resident of Castle Sommersdorf is Baron Manfred Dr. von Crailsheim, who lives there with his wife. The couple welcomes guests into their home, offering bed and breakfast lodging in two guest rooms and three self-catering apartments in the old castle and a former granary. Each apartment is furnished with antiques and period furniture, and guests can enjoy modern conveniences such as a well-equipped kitchen.

The castle is located in the tiny village of Sommersdorf, a few miles from the A6 autobahn south of Ansbach. It is set back from the road and can be tricky to find, but it is well worth the effort. The von Crailsheims are gracious hosts who go out of their way to make guests feel welcome, offering tours of the castle and its grounds, as well as suggestions for things to do and places to visit in the surrounding area.

In addition to its impressive moat, turrets, and towers, Schloss Sommersdorf also boasts a mummy crypt with well-preserved mummified remains dating back to the 30 Years War. The current baron is happy to take guests into the crypt to view the coffins, which remain in their original resting place.

With its rich history, stunning architecture, and welcoming atmosphere, Schloss Sommersdorf truly offers everything a castle lover could desire.

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