Interior view

The seat of the counts and dukes of Württemberg up to the 18th century, the Altes Schloss is situated in the centre of Stuttgart. The first building on the site was put up by Duke Ludolf on a man-made hill in the mid-10th century. About 1320 the castle was rebuilt in local sandstone for the House of Württemberg. In addition to a moat, 7 or 8 m deep, and a covered sentry walk, the structure included the Dürnitzbau, a large, centrally divided hall for tournaments and festivities.

From 1553 Christopher, Duke of Württemberg (reg 1550-68), had the moated stronghold converted into a residential castle by Aberlin Tretsch and Blasius Berwart I (active 1553-1590). The Dürnitzbau was given a new façade with bay windows, and from 1557 was extended by three wings fronted by three-storey arcades facing the courtyard. This was one of the first Renaissance courtyards in southern Germany.

The building of the three new courtyard ranges began in 1557. All three floors of these ranges are fronted on the courtyard side by arcades with rib vaulting and Corinthian columns.

The photo shows the inner courtyard.

View the ground plan of the Altes Schloss.