One of Württemberg's late medieval palaces
Urach Residential Palace
Portrait of Ludwig I, stained glass in the collegiate church in Tübingen

A new residence emergesLudwig Ivon Württemberg

In the Treaty of Nürtingen, Württemberg was divided between brothers Ludwig I and Ulrich V. Count Ludwig I (1412–1450) received the Urach portion and subsequently decided to expand Urach as his new residence. He elevated Urach Palace to a residential palace.

Historical city view of Urach from the “Seehbuch” by Jakob Ramminger, 1596

Historical city view of Urach.

How is Ludwig I connected to Urach?

The Treaty of Nürtingen was concluded between Ludwig I and his brother, Ulrich V, in 1442. In it, they divided Württemberg between them. Ludwig received the Urach portion with areas west and south, including the Alsace and later Mömpelgard. Ludwig I made Urach his residence and began developing it into a residential city. This included expanding the palace. The former residential palace, as it exists today, therefore traces its foundations back to Count Ludwig I.

Exterior of Urach Palace

Urach palace today.

What were Ludwig's merits?

At just 14, Ludwig I, the eldest son of Count Eberhard IV and Henriette von Mömpelgard, took on the countship. In 1436, he married Mechthild von der Pfalz and had five children with her. His greatest merits include expanding the Urach residence, expanding the zoo and founding the Güterstein charterhouse. He was initially buried there, before his remains were transferred to the Tübingen collegiate church.

What kind of ruler was Ludwig?

. The strengthening of monasteries within his sphere earned him the goodwill of the church. He used alliances to get closer to the powerful Wittelsbach and Habsburg families. Ludwig’s reign ended suddenly when he contracted the plague and died at just 38 years of age.

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