Aufsess, Bavaria
The church history of Aufseß is defined by the noble von Aufseß family, featuring a 17th-century religious split into Protestant and Catholic branches, which led to the construction of both Oberaufseß and Unteraufseß castles. Key figures included Prince-Bishop Friedrich III (1421-1431) and 18th-century,, counter-reformation efforts.
Key Aspects of Aufseß Church History:
- Split Faiths: In the 17th century, the von Aufseß family divided into Protestant and Catholic branches.
- Rekatholisierung (Re-Catholicization): In 1726, Christian Ernst von Aufseß introduced Catholic services in the Unteraufseß castle chapel and established a Catholic school, driving efforts to return the area to Catholicism.
- Confessional Conflict: Disputes between the Protestant and Catholic branches led to the construction of Burg Oberaufseß (initially Carolsburg) around 1690 by Karl Heinrich.
- Significant Personalities: Friedrich III von Aufseß served as Prince-Bishop of Bamberg from 1421–1431. Jobst Bernhard von Aufseß (1671–1738) was a notable Catholic canon who founded the Aufseesianum in Bamberg.
- Castle Chapel: A dedicated castle chapel was built in 1840 for house church services.
Also in this gallery, a photo connected with one of the plotters who tried to blow up Adolf Hitler during WW2.
The castle near Aufseß (specifically in the neighboring municipality of Heiligenstadt in Upper Franconia) connected with Claus von Stauffenberg is Schloss Greifenstein.
- Connection to Stauffenberg: Schloss Greifenstein has been the seat of the noble family of the Schenk Grafen von Stauffenberg since 1691. Claus von Stauffenberg, who led the failed July 20, 1944, plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, was a member of this family and was a frequent guest at the castle.
- Location: While not in the town of Aufseß itself, the castle is located in the nearby Franconian Switzerland region near Heiligenstadt in Oberfranken (Upper Franconia), which is adjacent to the Aufseß municipality.
- Significance: The castle contains a collection of weapons and armor, and a bronze bust of Claus von Stauffenberg is on display.
