Frauenberg Castle (Ruin) (Beltershausen)

The origins of Frauenberg Castle date back to 1252, when Duchess Sophie of Brabant, mother of the young Landgrave Heinrich I of Hesse, initiated its construction. Her goal was to create a counterpoint to the Mainz-owned Amöneburg Castle and to control the important long-distance road "through the long Hessians." Although first documented in 1296, the complex was occupied by castellans who later named themselves "von Frauynberg" after the location. In the 14th century, the castle was pledged several times, including to the Riedesel and von Dernbach families. From 1350, it served as the seat of the Hessian office of Frauenberg, which was merged with the Kirchhain office in 1604.