Anselm Franz von Ritter zu Groenesteyn

Anselm Franz Freiherr von Ritter zu Groenesteyn (also von Grünstein) (1692-1765) was a Chamberlain of Kurmainz, privy counsellor, Majordomo, temporarily Vitztum (vicegerent), High Director of Building and exceptionally gifted architect. His grandfather Stefan von Ritter zu Groenesteyn was of Netherlands origin.

elected works

He took part in many big civil works in the regions under the influence of the Schönborn family. Due to this he planned, resp. constructed at least in sub-parts of the following buildings:

*Deutschhaus Mainz (Commandry of the Teutonic Knights"))
*Bassenheimer Hof in Mainz
*Baroque Chateau Bruchsal, of the new residence of the new appointed bishop of Speyer
* Würzburg Residence
* Chateau Jägersburg, the summer residence of the prince-bishop of Bamberg in Eggolsheim/Forchheim
*Church of Banz Abbey/Franconia
* Church of Amorbach Abbey/Odenwald
* Steaning balustrade of Chateau Biebrich in Wiesbaden-Biebrich
* Chateau Bönnigheim

He teared down the Schwalbacherhof in Kiedrich/Rheingau, which came into family property by the wedding of his grandfather Stefan with the daughter of the house. In 1730 he erected Schloss Groenesteyn, a baroque three winged palace including a chapel, on the site. As stucco plasterer he choose Georg Hennicke from Mainz, a disciple of the frenchman Jean Bérain, who also worked in the pilgrimage church "Zum heiligen Blut" in Walldürn. The chateau is still family property.