Photo: museums and exhibitions, castles, fortresses and palaces, Castle of Braunfels, Hesse

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Castle of Braunfels – same owners for 800 years

Museums and Exhibitions • Castles, Fortresses and Palaces

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The noble family of the Solms left a prominent tracein the history of Europe. Its roots go to the Braunfels of Hessen. In themiddle of the 13th century the Solms built the castle of Braunfelsfrom brown basalt on top of a mountain over the Lahn river. The Solmsconsidered this way they would be protected from the hostile family of Nassau.However they were deeply mistaken. Notwithstanding permanent works for itsreinforcement, during the Thirty Years War Braunfels was conquered three times.It burned several times. As a result of a devastating fire in 1679 it had to bereconstructed. The last large reconstruction dates back to the second half ofthe 19th century. Even though the castle is almost 800 years old, itis still owned by the same family that built it once upon a time. The malebranch of the Solms-Braunfels stopped in 1970. Today the castle is owned byrepresentatives of this family from the female branch.

The Solms don’thide their family home – the castle of Braunfels – from anyone. Tourists cansee the reinforcement system, visit the chapel built in 1504. Even the innerchambers are open for visits. In the Knight Hall you will find medieval armsand armour. A special pride of the collection is the ring of Elizabeth ofHungary, landgravine of Thuringia in the 13th century. Patron ofpoets and musicians, she is the main character of the famous opera “Tannhauser”by Wagner. You should definitely see the painting gallery of the castle. CountsSolms have gathered a marvelous collection of Dutch artists. Among thepaintings you will find such great masters as van Eyck. There is a magnificentview on the town and Lahn river opening from the fort walls of Braunfels. Insummer the castle is open for visits every day, in winter you have to book anexcursion in advance.

Castle of Braunfels – same owners for 800 years

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