The remains of the Castle can be visited
Hotel
CastleHohenstein
Hohenstein Castle
Hohenstein Castle is the ruin of a rock castle at 330 m above sea level near Bad Schwalbach in the Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis and belongs to the municipality of Hohenstein. It is one of the largest castle ruins in the Taunus.
The castle was probably built between 1190 and 1230 by the Counts of Katzenelnbogen.
From 1260, the castle served as the residence of the younger line of the Counts of Katzenelnbogen. Count Johann III of Katzenelnbogen (1402 – 1444) had the castle extensively expanded around 1422. It is presumed that the complex had been destroyed or severely damaged at the beginning of the 15th century during conflicts with the Counts of Nassau.
With the death of Philipp of Katzenelnbogen in 1479, the male line of the Counts of Katzenelnbogen died out. Through his heiress Anna, who was married to Landgrave Heinrich III of Hesse – Marburg, the entire County of Katzenelnbogen, including the castle, passed to Hesse.
Around 1604, Landgrave Moritz of Hesse – Kassel had the neglected complex restored. Around 1616, he frequently stayed at the castle. During the Thirty Years' War, the castle was set on fire and destroyed by Lower Hessian troops in 1647. A planned reconstruction was abandoned.
Complex+
Mainly preserved are the outer late Gothic shield wall, as well as the inner shield wall from the 13th century, each flanked by two towers. The former residential buildings, however, are no longer present. The remains of the palas already collapsed in 1864.
In the immediate vicinity is the ruin of Greifenstein Castle, whose defensive structures were probably integrated with those of Hohenstein Castle.
Current Use+
In 1968, the state of Hesse established a hotel and restaurant business in the castle. During the summer, "Castle Plays" take place in the inner courtyard. Furthermore, a registry office is located in the castle.
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Source: Wikipedia · Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Image: Joachim Schneeleopard
This description draws on the facts documented in the linked Wikipedia article; Wikipedia content is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wording and editing: Mobile History.
Location: 50.1940, 8.0571