Toppler Castle, Rothenburg

Toppler Castle is a small late medieval residential tower in Rothenburg, built by Heinrich Toppler in 1388. It was originally a pond house and summer retreat. Heinrich Toppler, a prominent mayor of Rothenburg, held various positions of power but was executed for treason in 1408. The castle, constructed between 1388 and 1440, also served to protect mills in the Tauber valley.

After Heinrich Toppler's downfall, the castle passed through different Rothenburg families until the Boas family acquired it in 1861. They rented it out as a holiday home until the 1960s. The castle features a tower-like base made of quarry stone, with two projecting half-timbered floors and a steep gabled roof. It originally stood in an artificial pond and had a drawbridge, which has been replaced by a stone bridge.

Toppler Castle is well-preserved and showcases furniture from the 16th to 19th centuries, providing a glimpse into late medieval and early modern living conditions. The castle's influence can be seen in the construction of Herzogsstuhl, a retreat built in the early 20th century by the Duke of Saxony-Altenburg, inspired by Toppler Castle's design.