Rauhenzell Castle

Rauhenzell Castle was built in 1555 by the Lords of Laubenberg as a three-story rectangular building. In 1647, the male line of the Laubenbergs died out, and the Rauhenzell dominion fell to the House of Pappus-Trazberg, whose member was later elevated to the status of Imperial Baron by the Emperor.

In 1878, the castle's facade was redesigned in Baroque style. The remaining Late Renaissance character was preserved. In 1929, Imperial Baron Eckart von Pappus und Trazberg died as the last male descendant of his lineage. Today, the castle is owned by the Barons von Lerchenfeld. It is inhabited and cannot be visited.

Rauhenzell with its castle was the scene of rescue operations for valuable German cultural assets carried out by Alfred Weitnauer during the Second World War. In his book "Schlussbilanz" (Final Balance), he recounts in this context with his characteristic humor a "funeral with few mourners" in the village cemetery of Rauhenzell. The most valuable holdings of the Hessian State Museum Darmstadt, which had previously been moved to Rauhenzell Castle, were secured during this operation from approaching French troops.