Former Water Castle: Baroque manor house in Northern Bavaria

The property is a listed building as well as an archaeological monument, offering significant benefits for heritage conservation. It qualifies for enhanced tax depreciation (monumental tax relief) and potential grants, both of which require consultation with the Bavarian State Office for Monument Protection (BLfD). Additionally, KfW funding programmes for monument preservation may be available, subject to approval. 

This former water castle has had little to no water in its moat for approximately 30 years. Some of the ground-floor floors date back to the medieval period, including one room featuring original brick flooring. The property retains its complete historic door inventory, with many handmade windowpanes. The untreated wooden staircase remains in its original condition. Modern amenities include a fibre-optic internet connection and a high-voltage power supply (32 amps). The grounds boast numerous mature trees, predominantly oaks. The roof was replaced in the late 1980s, and overall, the estate is maintained in excellent condition. 

The village of Hain was first documented in 1330 with mention of the residence of Jakob von Redwitz zu Redwitz. In 1395, Ulrich I. von Künsberg-Wernstein acquired the manor. The castle chapel, later granted parish rights, was built in 1668 by Adolph August von Künsberg. The original castle was constructed in 1711, followed by the present Baroque palace in 1774. 

By the late 18th century, Hain comprised 19 estates. Limited high jurisdiction was exercised by the manors of Hain, Küps and Unterlangenstadt-Burkersdorf, which were obliged to deliver to the Bamberg centamt of Weismain when necessary. The manorial authority over the village and community belonged to the Hain estate. The principal landowners included the Hain manor (with 15 estates: three farms, one “fronsölde”, one small farmstead, eight “tropfhäuser” and two houses), the Küps manor (one farmstead, one tenant farm and one house) and the Unterlangenstadt-Burkersdorf manor (one estate). In addition, the castle, administrative house, tenant’s house and brewhouse were directly subordinated to the Hain manor, alongside a church and a schoolhouse.

Today, Hain forms part of the market town of Küps, located in the Upper Franconian district of Kronach. All essential amenities such as kindergartens, schools and shopping facilities can be found approximately five kilometres away in Küps. The nearest larger towns are Burgkunstadt (around 7 km, 10 minutes by car), Kronach (approximately 12 km, 15 minutes) and Kulmbach (about 19 km, 21 minutes).

For more information, please visit www.kueps.de.

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