Ehrenstein Castle

The origins of Ehrenstein Castle date back to the 12th century, with the visible remains of the walls largely stemming from a construction phase in the 14th century. The complex was presumably in the possession of the Counts of Schwarzburg from the outset. In 1275, it passed to the Blankenburg line. The castle experienced a heyday in the mid-14th century under Count Günther VVVIII., who served as imperial court master and court judge. Ehrenstein likely served only temporarily as a princely residence. In 1448, the castle was besieged and captured during the Schwarzburg House War and the Saxon Fratricidal War, which probably represents the only act of war in its history. After alterations in the first half of the 16th century under Wolf I., the castle was mortgaged in 1587 and began to fall into disrepair. Upon its return to Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt possession in 1610, it was already badly damaged and uninhabited.