Altenburg Castle

Altenburg Castle, likely built by an unknown count's family during the Staufer period, probably served as the first residence for the counts of Felsberg. Its strategic importance grew after Archbishop Konrad of Mainz erected Heiligenburg Castle on the opposite bank of the Eder in 1185. The castle was first documented in 1322 when Werner von Besse's widow sold it to Landgrave Otto I of Hesse. Landgrave Heinrich II renovated the complex to strengthen his position against Mainz. Parts of the castle were pledged to the brothers Hermann and Gottschalk von Holzheim in 1352, who later built the curtain wall and the keep with battlements between 1388 and 1392. During the Peasants' War in 1525, the castle was captured and burned down by Franconian troops, leaving the palace in ruins.