Reichenbach ruins

You have a fantastic view from the Reichenbach castle ruins, built around the year 1000.

The castle ruins are freely accessible and were built around the year 1000.
After frequent destruction and subsequent reconstruction, the castle experienced its peak when Landgrave Hermann von Hessen planned his campaigns from the castle from 1376 to 1390. The decline of the castle began in 1471 due to the death of Landgrave Ludwig II. After the progressive decay of the castle, the small keep was renovated between 1899 and 1901 on the initiative of Gustav Siegel. In addition to the keep, which serves as a lookout tower, the remains of the shield wall and a small and large neck ditch can still be seen today.
Today it is a popular hiking destination, as it is located on the premium trail P10 of the Geo-Nature Park Frau-Holle-Land as well as on the GrimmSteig. One has a remarkable view from the castle ruins located on the 522 m high Schlossberg.
A visit to the castle in April/May during the wild garlic blossom is particularly attractive.

History:

- built around 1050
- 1133 (Count Gozmar II of Reichenbach)
- 1186 the castle comes through marriage to the Thuringian landgrave (Ludwig II.)
- 1247 Conquest of the castle by the Hessian landgrave
- 1315–1490 seat of the bailiff of the Reichenbach district and use as a count's hunting lodge
- 1490 relocation of the office to (Hessian-)Lichtenau, after that the castle is of little importance
-1550 Destruction of the castle on the orders of Emperor Charles V
- 1697 a drawing shows both towers still standing
- 1820 collapse of the stronger tower in the ring wall
- 1899-1901 Renovation and extension of the badly damaged smaller tower to an observation tower, from then on referred to as "Bergfried".
- 1934 renewed renovation of the tower and execution of excavations in the castle
- 1955 closure of the observation tower due to dilapidation
- 2008/09 renewed renovation of the tower including protection by a roof to reduce new structural damage

Source: alleburgen.de