Burg Teck


Teck was a ducal castle in the kingdom of Württemberg, immediately to the north of the Swabian Jura and south of the town of Kirchheim unter Teck. Burg Teck takes its name from the ridge, the Teckberg, 2,544 feet high, which it crowned. It was destroyed in the German Peasants' War. The castle was reconstructed during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Foundation

In 1863, the title "Prince of Teck" was conferred as a courtesy title by King William I of Württemberg upon the children of his cousin Duke Alexander of Württemberg by his morganatic marriage with Countess Claudine Rhédey von Kis-Rhéde, ennobled as countess of Hohenstein. In 1871, Prince Francis, the eldest son of Duke Alexander, was created Duke of Teck. His eldest son Adolphus was the holder of the title in 1910.

Buildings

In 1889 an observation tower with a refuge shelter was built and inaugurated on 1 September 1889. In 1933 a hall was built near the tower called Mörike Hall. Since 6 June 1941 the buildings have been owned by the Schwäbischer Albverein. From 1954 to 1955 the Mörikehalle became a restaurant with sleeping rooms. On 9 November 1999, the area surrounding Burg Teck was designated a protected area.

Members

The most famous of the Teck family is considered to be Duke Francis's daughter, Mary of Teck, who was queen consort to King George V of the United Kingdom and Empress of India.