Rückingen Castle (Erlensee)

A castle complex is believed to have existed on this site as early as the 10th century. The first documented mention of Rückingen Moated Castle as "castri Ruggingin" dates back to 1248. Originally, the castle was a Mainz fief of the Lords of Brauneck before it passed to the Counts of Isenburg in 1463. As a sub-fief, it was granted to the related Lords of Rückingen and Rüdigheim. In 1405, the castle was destroyed by King Ruprecht because Johann von Rüdigheim, a robber knight, interfered with shipping on the Main and Kinzig rivers. Reconstruction was initially prohibited. During the Knights' War of 1522, the castle was again destroyed by Landgrave Philipp of Hesse. After a reconstruction in 1569, evidenced by a coat of arms stone, the complex was probably damaged again during the Thirty Years' War. After the extinction of the Lords of Rüdigheim in 1666 and several changes of ownership, the castle reverted to Isenburg in 1756. From the 19th century, it was in private hands and was used as an agricultural enterprise from about 1860, during which time the moats were filled. After acquisition by the municipality of Erlensee, the local history museum opened in 1983.