Abenheim Castle

Abenheim came into the possession of Fulda Abbey in 932 through a royal donation. In the early 13th century, the Counts of Leiningen received parts of the Abenheim estates as a vogtei fief. In 1275, the estates passed as a dowry to the Counts of Nassau, who pledged Abenheim in 1295 and again before 1362. In the 14th century, further lands and rights of Fulda Abbey fell to other noble families, including the Counts of Sponheim. In 1358, Fulda Abbey reacquired Abenheim but reserved the right to pledge it again if necessary. In 1405, the Counts of Katzenelnbogen briefly received the rights to Abenheim from the abbot of Fulda Abbey. Documentary evidence for the castle itself exists from the first half of the 15th century, though it was more of a small residential and defensive complex. In 1473, the knights Hans and Dietz von Wachenheim handed over their share, including the gatehouse and the stable, to Knight Wolf II. Kämmerer von Dalberg.