Von Bibra
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An aristocratic German (Franconian) family (Uradel:very old Nobility) which among its members were Lorenz von Bibra, Prince-Bishop of Würzburg, Duke in Franconia (1459-1519), Lorenz’ half brother, Wilhelm von Bibra Papal emissary, Conrad von Bibra , Prince-Bishop of Würzburg, Duke in Franconia (1490-1544), Heinrich von Bibra, Prince-Bishop, Prince-Abbot of Fulda (1711-1788) was Prince-Bishop from (1759-1788) and Ernst von Bibra (* 1806 † 1878), naturalist and author.
The family was one of the leading families in Franconia (northern part of Bavaria) from the mid 1400's to the mid 1500's. By 1600 most of the family died off without heirs partially due to the plague and the number of family members who took church positions. After the death of Heinrich von Bibra in 1602, the Prince-Bishop Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn seized most of the family’s assets as part of the counter reformation resulting in a 79 year lawsuit. The lawsuit was eventually settled with the family receiving all the properties except Burgwallbach but without income during the suit. From 1602 on there were many important members of the family but the family itself never recovered the leading position it previously had.
The tomb of Lorenz von Bibra by Tilman Riemenschneider (c. 1460 - July 7, 1531) in the Würzburg Dom (cathedral) is one of Riemenschneider's most famous works. Lorenz also commission Riemenscheider to do the tomb of his predecessor, Rudolf von Scherenberg. In Bibra the family commissioned Riemenschneider to do the Altar of the Apostles, Altar of the Church Fathers, Altar of the Annunciation, Carving of St. Kilian, a crucifix, and an epithet of Hans von Bibra (Lorenz’ father). Kilian von Bibra also commissioned a work by Riemenscheider other than at Bibra.
The family seat is Bibra near Meinigen. Adelsdorf, Aroldshausen, Aubstadt, Brennhausen, Bramberg, Burgwallbach, Dörfleshof, Euerheim, Gleicherwiesn, Höchheim, Irmelshausen, Kleinbardorf, Roßrieth, Schwebheim and Trappstadt are some of the castles, manner houses, and villages that at one time or under came under Bibra control. The castles Bibra, Irmelshausen and Brennhausen remain tied to the family. Irmelshausen and Brennhausen are two of the most picturesque water castles in Franconia and are frequently featured in calendars and books. Burg Bibra is reportedly the longest continuously own castle by a family in Thuringia having been the family since records of its existance including through the East Germany period.
Bibra Lake, a suburb of Perth, Australia is named after Benedict von Bibra who in the summer of 1843 bought land there.
