Fürstenstein Castle

The origins of Fürstenstein Castle likely date back to the 13th century, when it was built by the Counts of Bilstein. In 1301, Count Otto II of Bilstein, the last of his lineage, sold his possessions to Landgrave Heinrich I of Hesse. Thus, Fürstenstein Castle also came into Hessian possession but was repeatedly mortgaged. From 1344, the Lords Diede, who were probably originally castlemen at Boyneburg, held rights to the castle. From 1596 until the extinction of their male line in 1807, they were the sole lords of the castle and lordship and subsequently called themselves Diede zum Fürstenstein.