Deuringschloessle (Deuring Castle), Bregenz (must see)

Deuringschlössle rises in the historic Oberstadt and reflects the ambitions of the Deuring family in the decades after the Thirty Years’ War. Around 1660, Hans Karl von Deuring expanded the residence into the stately form seen today. Although the site had medieval origins, the family chose not to rebuild it as a fortress. Instead, the design expressed recovery, learning, and social standing in a post-war society that valued civic authority over military defence.

The four-storey structure is marked by a corner tower and a steep gabled roof. Its compact proportions and balanced façade show the transition from fortified medieval building to early modern residential architecture. Evenly arranged windows and clear symmetry replace battlements and defensive walls. The name “Schlössle,” a southern German diminutive meaning “little castle,” reflects this character: dignified, yet intended as a refined home rather than a stronghold.

Inside, the residence became known for Renaissance and Baroque details that emphasised comfort and cultivated taste. Coffered ceilings, tiled stoves, and finely worked interiors placed it within wider artistic currents of the 17th century. Among its most notable features were the so-called Knights’ Hall and a private chapel with rich Baroque stuccowork, reinforcing the image of education, faith, and status within aristocratic life.

In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the building entered a new phase as a gourmet hotel led by chef Heino Huber. It earned international recognition and was regularly listed in the Gault Millau guide. Around 2014–2015, this period came to an end when the property was sold. Today it functions once again as a private residence, with only its exterior accessible to visitors.