Starkenburg Castle

The Starkenburg served as the main seat of the rear County of Sponheim until around the mid-14th century. It is believed that Count Gottfried III of Sponheim resided here. Following the construction of Grevenburg Castle, Starkenburg was subsequently administered by castellans. In the 16th century, the Palatine Sponheim joint lords used the complex. For instance, Count Palatine Johann I of Simmern was born here in 1459 and died in this location in 1509. Starkenburg also served as the dower house for his widow, Countess Johanna of Nassau-Saarbrücken, who also passed away at Starkenburg in 1521.