Ruins of Münzenberg Castle
The unmistakable silhouette of the ruins of Münzenberg Castle, with its two round keeps can be seen from afar. The “Wetterau Inkwell”, as it is affectionately known, is one of the most important Romanesque castles in Germany and served to safeguard imperial power.
At a glance
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Opening Hours
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Burgruine Münzenberg
35516 Münzenberg
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Next event
10/06, 12:00–13:00 – Eine Zeitreise ins Mittelalter
History
With its two mighty keeps, the towering gable between them and the massive, partly crenellated walls, the Münzenberg castle ruins (or Münzenburg for short) are today the landmark of the Wetterau.
The Staufen Claim to Power
It was once built as a manifestation of the claim to power of the Staufen, the family that provided the Roman-German kings and emperors between the 11th and 13th centuries. With a total of ten castles in the Wetterau at the time, they demonstrated and secured their claim to the land. They were supported by local noble families who - like the family of Hagen-Arnsburg - were directly subordinate to them as imperial ministers.
Kuno von Hagen-Arnsburg, who had the castle built in the middle of the 12th century, henceforth called himself Kuno von Münzenberg after his new domicile. Through his close ties to Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa (1122-1190), he and his family became the dominant territorial political power in the Wetterau.
Anyone wishing to enter the interior of the castle ruins must first pass through the outer bailey with its central gate.
Foto: Michael Leukel, 2020
The pointed arched central gate divides the outer bailey into two areas. From here, the access to the inner bailey continues.
Foto: Michael Leukel, 2020
View across the castle courtyard to the east to the Staufen keep. On the right is the Romanesque palas, on the left the Falkenstein palas.
Foto: Michael Leukel, 2020
The battlements, which almost completely encircle the inner bailey, were made accessible again.
Foto: Michael Leukel, 2020
The almost 30-metre-high east tower is reached via a massive, free-standing staircase.
Foto: Michael Leukel, 2020
The view from the east tower over the castle ruins with the western keep and the Wetterau landscape is magnificent.
Foto: Michael Leukel, 2020
Meetings & Celebrations at the Castle
The outdoor area of the castle ruins can be rented from us for events.
