Sichelnstein Castle

The exact construction date of Sichelnstein Castle is not documented, but it is believed that descendants of the Saxon nobleman Amelung, who settled in the area in the 9th century, built the castle to protect their lands. In 933, Amelung's great-grandson, Wittilo von Sichelnstein, was knighted by King Henry I and granted the right to adorn his coat of arms with symbols still found in the Sichelnstein and Staufenberg coats of arms today. During the Sterner War in 1372, Duke Otto the Wicked of Brunswick had the castle refortified and used it as a base for incursions into Hesse. After the war ended in 1373 in favor of Hesse, Otto had to cede the castle and its associated district the following year.