Friedrichsburg

Just after he came to power in 1576, Eitel Frederick I, Count of Hohenzollern-Hechingen, began the magnificent construction of the renaissance palace. Construction of the palace, designated "Friedrichsburg" in official documentation, lasted until 1595 - almost 20 years. This town palace took up the north-west part of the encircled town.

Through the gate tower (1) you reached a 70 metre-long narrow courtyard, to the east of which were stalls, the chancellery, chambers, and at the end the main guard.

The actual palace complex and its four wings (2) stretched to the west. Over four floors it comprised 127 rooms as well as adjoining rooms, two chapels and a vaulted cellar. The large ballroom in the east wing had stucco, columns and figures aplenty. It was 120 foot long by 51 foot wide. Its magnificent coffered ceiling was made by Anton Bayer, a master craftsman from Hechingen. The large court chapel was in the west wing. Some representations of the stations of the cross can be seen in the State Museum of Hohenzollern, and altar reliefs can be viewed in Jungingen Parish Church.