Castles in Hesse

German Castles & Ruins

This collection highlights the diverse architectural heritage of Hessen, featuring medieval hill castles, Renaissance manor houses, and Baroque hunting lodges. Notable sites include the UNESCO-listed Roman Kapersburg fort and the ornate Rococo interiors of Schloss Wilhelmsthal. From the moated ruins of Wasserschloss Wülmersen to the archaeological remains of Burg Buchenau, these fortifications offer insight into the region's military history and aristocratic life spanning nearly two millennia.

German Castles & Ruins — Map

A

Wasserschloss Wülmersen

A 12th-century moated castle estate currently serving as a museum and cultural center.

YPS / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Schloss Wilhelmsthal

A mid-18th-century Rococo palace near Kassel, featuring well-preserved original interiors and an expansive landscape park.

Solmesius / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Burg Hohensolms

A 14th-century hill castle situated atop the Ramsberg, also known as Neu-Hohensolms.

Dehio / CC BY-SA 3.0

D

Schloss Ermschwerd

A Renaissance-style manor house and former noble seat dating back to the 16th century in Witzenhausen.

2micha / CC-BY-SA-3.0

E

Fürsteneck Castle

Fürsteneck Castle is a castle, situated in central Germany between Fulda and Bad Hersfeld. It belongs to the commune of Eiterfeld.

Doris Antony / CC BY-SA 4.0

F

Schloss Homberg

An early medieval hill castle located in the Vogelsbergkreis district.

Asdrubal / CC-BY-SA-3.0

G

Römerkastell Kapersburg

One of the best-preserved Roman forts along the Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Störfix / CC BY-SA 3.0

H

Dianaburg

Ruins of a Baroque hunting lodge built in the early 18th century near Darmstadt.

Axel Hindemith / CC BY 4.0

I

Welfenschloss

A Renaissance castle in Hann. Münden built on medieval foundations, now housing a local history museum.

MSporleder / CC BY-SA 3.0 de

J

Busecker Schloss

A Neo-Gothic castle in Großen-Buseck constructed on the site of a medieval fortification.

Bybbisch94,Christian Gebhardt / CC BY-SA 4.0

K

Ebersburg Castle

Ebersburg Castle is a ruined hill castle in Ebersberg in the parish of Ebersburg in the county of Fulda in East Hesse, Germany.

Presse03 / CC-BY-SA-3.0

L

Wasserschloss

A 13th-century moated castle featuring distinctive Weser Renaissance architectural elements.

Metilsteiner / CC-BY-SA-3.0

M

Brandenfels

Ruins of a hill castle near Herleshausen, originally constructed around 1250.

Unknown photographer / Public domain

N

Burg Calenberg

A hill castle located on the Calenberg in the Warburg district.

Armin Schönewolf / Public domain

O

Schloss Escheberg

A former noble estate and manor house, believed to have originated as a moated castle.

P

Stadtturm

A historical city tower serving as a viewpoint, likely part of former fortifications.

Q

Burg Ermschwerd

The site of a former wall castle and royal palace (Königspfalz) in the Werra-Meißner-Kreis.

Hermann Achenbach,Wallau / Public domain

R

Burg Buchenau

An archaeological site featuring the remains of a medieval fortification south of Buchenau.

S

Burgruine Rodersen

The 12th-century ruins of a hill castle situated north of Wolfhagen.

T

Ruine Rabenstein

Historical castle ruins located in the eastern Hessian landscape.

Other Lists

Hessen's Crown Jewels German Heritage Treasures Authentic German Eateries Viewpoints and Towers