Graues Castle

The origins of the Grey Castle lie in a moated castle once inhabited by the Lords of Mihla, who were vassals of the Archbishops of Mainz and the Landgraves of Thuringia. In the early 16th century, the Lords of Harstall, also from Mihla, began converting the castle into a residential palace. An extensive manor, known as the White Castle, was built nearby, and its outbuildings still exist today. A third Harstall family property was the Red Castle, located across the Lauterbach stream. In March 1848, during a period of unrest, the Grey Castle was stormed by estate and farm workers demanding improved living conditions. The estate owner and other officials were forced to sign declarations renouncing taxes and feudal dues.