Eppstein Castle

Archaeological findings date the castle's foundation to the 10th century, when it was built as an imperial castle for border security. Its first documentary mention was in 1122. Shortly thereafter, it came into the possession of the Archbishopric of Mainz, which leased it to the Lords of Hainhausen at the end of the 12th century. They adopted the name “Lords of Eppstein” and made the castle the center of their territory. Following a family split, the complex passed to the Eppstein-Münzenberg line in 1433. Financial difficulties led to the sale of the western half to the Landgraviate of Hesse in 1492, which converted this part into a castle-like structure and used it as an administrative center. With the death of the last male Eppsteiner in 1535, the remaining eastern half of the castle passed to the Counts of Stolberg and then to Kurmainz. In 1803, the castle fell to the Duchy of Nassau, which auctioned off the already dilapidated complex for demolition in 1804.