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

Burgruine Münzenberg
35516 Münzenberg

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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.

Learn more

Stone path between castle walls and plants, leading to an archway. — Anyone wishing to enter the interior of the castle ruins must first pass through the outer bailey with its central gate.

Photo: Michael Leukel, 2020

View through a large stone archway onto castle ruins and blue sky. — The pointed arched central gate divides the outer bailey into two areas. From here, the access to the inner bailey continues.

Photo: Michael Leukel, 2020

Impressive castle courtyard with castle tower flying a flag, surrounded by brick ruins and a large tree under a blue sky. — 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*.

Photo: Michael Leukel, 2020

Castle wall and tower under blue skies, remains of a fortress with stone wall and path. — The battlements, which almost completely encircle the inner bailey, were made accessible again.

Photo: Michael Leukel, 2020

View down a wooden spiral staircase in a dark stone tower. — The almost 30-metre-high east tower is reached via a massive, free-standing staircase.

Photo: Michael Leukel, 2020

Panoramic view of castle ruins with towers and walls, surrounded by fields and houses in a peaceful rural landscape. — The view from the east tower over the castle ruins with the western keep and the Wetterau landscape is magnificent.

Photo: Michael Leukel, 2020

Children look through a telescope on a tower at a village landscape in bright sunshine.

Offerings for Groups

There are a variety of guided tours and hands-on activities for every age group at the ruins of Münzenberg Castle. The “Wetterau Inkwell” invites you on a journey into the Middle Ages. Our team is looking forward to your visit!