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Schloss (German pronunciation:[ˈʃlɔs]ⓘ; pl.Schlösser[ˈʃlœsɐ]ⓘ), formerly writtenSchloß, is theGerman term for a building similar to achâteau,palace, ormanor house.[1]
Related terms appear in several Germanic languages. In theScandinavian languages, thecognate wordslot/slott is normally used for what in English could be either a palace or a castle (instead of words in rarer use such aspalats/palæ,kastell, orborg). In Dutch, the wordslot is considered to be more archaic. Nowadays, one commonly usespaleis orkasteel. But in English, the term does not appear; for instance, in theUnited Kingdom, this type of structure would be known as a stately home orcountry house.
MostSchlösser were built after the Middle Ages as residences for the nobility, not as true fortresses, although originally, they often were fortified. The usual German term for a true castle isBurg, while that for a fortress isFestung (sometimes alsoVeste orFeste), and typically eitherPalast orBurg for a palace. However, the termSchloss is still used for many castles, especially those that were adapted as residences after they lost their defensive significance. Many adaptations took into account new tastes arising during the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
Like a castle, aSchloss may be surrounded by amoat; it is then called aWasserschloss (water castle). Other related structure types include theStadtschloss (a city palace), theJagdschloss (a hunting lodge), and theLustschloss (a pleasure palace or summer residence).
Although they appeared much earlier than the period defined by this term, medievalCarolingianKaiserpfalzen structures are sometimes considered as beingSchlösser in nature. Among those that would qualify are thePalace of Aachen and theImperial Palace of Goslar.
(Relating to places in use for long periods of times, having been extended and perhaps having had renovations in different styles than those of their respective eras – and therefore, displaying at least two and often, multiple styles)
In another context,Schloss is also the German word for alock.
