The Countess of Trier - 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗺 𝗟𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗮 𝘃𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗺 - 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗴
An extraordinary woman of the 14th century. At the age of 27, the young widow took over the rule of the county in 1323 and ruled it with a strong hand for her three children until 1331. She made history through her daring capture of the most powerful imperial prince, Baldwin of Trier, in 1328. This shocked all of Europe, led to her being outlawed by the Emperor and excommunicated by the Pope, but she nevertheless asserted her claims, forcing Baldwin to sign a reconciliation treaty. After handing over the rule to her son, she renounced Herrstein as her widow's residence and chose Frauenburg instead, where she also spent her final years. In early 1346, the countess, not yet 50 years old, died and was buried next to her husband in Himmerod Abbey. Source: Text information panel
Fortress of the Countess
Built before 1327 as a fortress for the southwestern parts of the County of Sponheim-Starkenburg and the Nahe River crossing. Only the inner castle area survives. It was chosen in 1331 by Loretta von Sponheim as a widow's residence instead of the contractually secured Herrstein Castle. After the countess's death, the castle became the official residence of the bailiffs of the Frauenberg domain, which also encompassed the towns of Reichenbach, Hammerstein, Ausweiler, Kronweiler, and the lordly estates of Winnenberg and Homerich. The castle was rarely used. During the Thirty Years' War, the uninhabited castle fell into disrepair. It is possible that the 30 x 10 m remains still standing today were built on a Roman site (burgus). The small tower is said to be the place where Rapunzel lived. Source: Text information board